WASHINGTON 鈥� It has been about a year since video captured Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice knocking out his then-fiancee 鈥� and now Rice is apologizing to fans.
In a statement Friday morning, he apologized to fans and the city of Baltimore. Also, he thanked the team’s owner,聽Steve Bisciotti.
鈥淭here is no excuse for domestic violence, and I apologize for the horrible mistake I made. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me, and I hope to make a positive difference in people鈥檚 lives by raising awareness of this issue,鈥� Rice wrote in the statement.
A video released in September showed Rice punching his now-wife, Janay, in a casino elevator in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Feb. 15, 2014.
The incident cost Rice his Ravens spot when the team terminated his contract last year. Also, Rice was charged with assault and entered an intervention program to have the charges dropped.
Rice sought more than $3.5 million for wrongful termination after the Ravens released him. Last month, the two parties reached a settlement.
Rice became a free agent after former federal judge Barbara S. Jones overturned NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell鈥檚 indefinite suspension and reinstated him.
Rice hasn鈥檛 drawn interest from any teams.
The three-time Pro Bowl running back will leave Maryland and move back to his home state of New York, sources tell the Baltimore Sun.
Below is the full statement from Rice:
Dear Baltimore,
This is not a farewell or goodbye. The last seven years that my family and I have spent in Baltimore have by far been the best of our lives. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all for the love and support you鈥檝e shown my family and I throughout my football career. We鈥檒l always be grateful for the love we鈥檝e received from all of our fans and supporters, and for winning a Super Bowl. To all the kids who looked up to me, I鈥檓 truly sorry for letting you down, but I hope it鈥檚 helped you learn that one bad decision can turn your dream into a nightmare. There is no excuse for domestic violence, and I apologize for the horrible mistake I made. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me, and I hope to make a positive difference in people鈥檚 lives by raising awareness of this issue. Thank you, Baltimore Ravens, for all you have done for my family and I. I鈥檓 very grateful to Steve Bisciotti, Ozzie 太子探花ome, John Harbaugh, and everyone at 1 Winning Drive. I love you all very much, and I鈥檒l always be proud to say I played for the Baltimore Ravens.
Thank you.
— Ray Rice
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
