Ray and Janay Rice said the Baltimore Ravens gave them talking points before addressing the media in May, but the organization has denied providing a script asking Janay to apologize.
Earlier this week, it was reported that the Baltimore Ravens had asked Janay Rice to apologize at a May press conference for her role in the Atlantic City elevator incident that ultimately led to Ray Rice being suspended and released from the team.
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However, the Ravens released a statement on Wednesday denying any role in asking Janay Rice to apologize.
The statement from Baltimore Ravens senior vice president of public and community relations Kevin Byrne, via the Baltimore Sun, read: “There have been some discussions in the media about the Ravens providing a ‘script’ or ‘suggested script’ to Janay and Ray Rice prior to a May 23 press session. After conversations with Ray about what he wanted to say, we did provide talking points to Ray for this event.
“After Ray informed the Ravens that Janay wanted also to speak at the event, I asked Ray on two different days if Ray wanted me to speak with Janay in advance of the press session. Both times, Ray declined and said: ‘She’s good. She knows what she wants to say.’ At no time prior to the May 23 session did we provide talking points, a script or suggested script to Janay or speak with her about the press event. We did not recommend or suggest to Ray or Janay that she apologize in any way.
“We understand that the NFLPA also provided Ray talking points and that he repeatedly looked at these on his phone during the May 23 press event.”
While the organizaing denied asking Janay to apologize, they did admit to giving Ray Rice a list of talking points.
- “I take full responsibility for what happened that night. I apologize.”
- “We will not let this one night define who we are.”
- “I was wrong. I made a mistake.”
Byrne said the decision to release a statement came in an effort to ensure people do not believe the reports suggesting the Baltimore Ravens asked Janay Rice to apologize.
Whether people choose to believe the Ravens’ side of the events remains to be seen.
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