Ray Rice has accepted the fact that he will probably never play in the NFL again.
Former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice has been the face of the NFL’s domestic violence issue ever since the video surfaced of him and his fiancée. Rice hasn’t been close to signing with an NFL team since, and the 29-year-old understands that an NFL comeback probably isn’t in the cards.
Thursday night, Rice made an appearance in the Boomer Esiason and Craig Carton charity softball game. Prior to the game, Rice spoke with James Kratch from NJ.com about the fact that he may never see a football field ever again as a player.
“I know that the window for playing is closing,” Rice told Kratch. “But if my window closes, I’m going to make sure I open up a thousand more opportunities for kids, to give them an opportunity to pick up where I left off. That’s where I’m at. I’ve got three Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl. There’s a lot of people that can’t go out there and do what I did. But I don’t want it to end that way, it’s safe to say.”
Although Rice isn’t the only NFL player that has been arrested for domestic violence, he is the only high-profile player that hasn’t played in the league since. The main reason is likely because of the video evidence that showed Rice’s shocking act of violence against his then-fiancée. However, even players like Greg Hardy, who have had significant evidence stacked against them, have still found themselves playing on Sundays.
Perhaps the other reason Rice hasn’t gotten any calls is the fact that his career was showing signs of slowing down even before the arrest. In his most recent NFL season in 2013, Rice played in 15 games, running for just 660 yards and averaging only 3.1 yards per carry. At 29, Rice’s best playing years are certainly behind him.
Rice understands that he may never play again, but he’s still preparing for whatever comes next.
“I’m training, but I’m more training for life,” Rice said. “I think it’s safe to say that football … I don’t want to ever say I’m giving up, because that’s never going to be me … I’m happy. I’m in the best shape of my life, and I know if it doesn’t happen this year, it’s probably something I have to deal with. But you know what? It’s not the end of my life.”
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