Ray Rice
Raynell Maurice Rice (born January 22, 1987) is a former American football running back who played professionally for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL) from 2008 to 2013. Drafted in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft out of Rutgers University, Rice quickly emerged as a versatile back, accumulating 6,180 rushing yards on 1,426 carries, along with 3,034 receiving yards, over his career.[1] He earned three Pro Bowl selections (2009, 2011, 2012) and contributed significantly to the Ravens' Super Bowl XLVII victory in 2013, where he recorded 59 rushing yards and 19 receiving yards despite a critical fumble.[1][2] Rice's career abruptly ended in September 2014 when the Ravens released him and the NFL imposed an indefinite suspension following the public release of surveillance video depicting a February 2014 altercation in an Atlantic City casino elevator with his then-fiancée, Janay Palmer. The footage showed Palmer initially striking Rice, after which he delivered a punch to her face that knocked her unconscious, causing her to strike her head on the elevator railing.[3][4] Both were initially charged with simple assault, but Rice later entered a pretrial intervention program, avoiding further prosecution, while Palmer was not charged.[5] The incident, amplified by the video evidence, drew widespread condemnation and highlighted inconsistencies in the NFL's handling of domestic violence cases, ultimately preventing Rice from signing with another team despite a successful appeal of his suspension.[6] Since retiring, Rice has focused on advocacy against domestic violence, speaking at events and counseling NFL rookies, while maintaining a low public profile; he married Palmer (now Janay Rice) in March 2014, and the couple has a daughter together.[7] The episode remains a pivotal case in discussions of athlete conduct, league accountability, and the societal impacts of publicized violence.Early life
Upbringing and family
Raymell Maurice Rice was born on January 22, 1987, in New Rochelle, New York, to Janet Rice, a special education teacher, and Conrad Reed.[8][9] His father was killed in a drive-by shooting when Rice was one year old, resulting in the absence of a paternal figure during his formative years and leaving his mother to raise him alongside three siblings in a single-parent household.[10][8] Janet Rice instilled values of confidence and goal-setting from an early age, often positioning her son as the "man of the house" to foster responsibility amid these circumstances.[11][12] The family resided in "The Hollow," a notoriously rough urban neighborhood in New Rochelle characterized by socioeconomic hardships, including overcrowded living conditions such as sharing beds.[13] This environment, compounded by the early loss of his father and the later death of a caretaking cousin who served as a surrogate father figure in a car accident when Rice was 11, contributed to a backdrop of instability that Rice navigated through self-motivation and structured activities.[10] His mother's emphasis on discipline and personal accountability helped channel his energies away from potential pitfalls, with no reported off-field incidents during his childhood.[12] Rice displayed early interest in athletics, participating in football, basketball, and track as outlets for physical development and focus, reflecting a causal link between his home environment's demands for resilience and his pursuit of sports for structure and achievement.[14] These pursuits provided a pathway to self-reliance in the absence of traditional familial guidance, aligning with empirical patterns observed in similar urban single-parent upbringings where organized sports mitigate risks of disengagement.[15]High school career
Rice attended New Rochelle High School in New Rochelle, New York, where he emerged as a standout running back under coach Lou DiRienzo. As a senior in 2004, he set the New York state single-game rushing record with 462 yards on 42 carries during a game on October 24.[16] That performance contributed to a season in which his team lost only one game and advanced deep into the playoffs, reaching the state championship game.[17] Rice earned first-team All-State honors as a senior, recognizing his dominance as a rusher and leader on the field.[18] Earlier, as a junior in 2003, he helped guide New Rochelle to its first New York State Class AA football championship.[16] His high school achievements, including consistent production across multiple seasons—such as 1,794 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns as a sophomore—drew attention from college programs nationwide.[17] Rutgers University head coach Greg Schiano personally re-engaged in Rice's recruitment after an initial pause, securing his commitment for the 2005 class over interest from other schools, based on Schiano's vision for the program and Rice's local ties.[19] Rice maintained academic eligibility throughout his high school career, balancing rigorous athletic demands with coursework requirements.[20]College career
Rutgers University performance
Ray Rice enrolled at Rutgers University in 2005 and quickly emerged as the starting tailback during his true freshman season. He rushed for 1,120 yards and five touchdowns, contributing significantly to the Scarlet Knights' 7-5 record and their first bowl appearance since 2000 in the Insight Bowl, where Rutgers lost 45-40 to Arizona State.[21] In his sophomore year of 2006, Rice exploded for 1,794 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns, shattering the Rutgers single-season rushing yardage record previously held by J.J. Jennings.[22] This performance propelled Rutgers to an 11-2 record, including a landmark Texas Bowl victory over Kansas State (37-10), marking the program's first bowl win in history and establishing Rice as a key figure in elevating the team's national profile within the Big East Conference.[21] Rice's junior season in 2007 saw him maintain elite production, tying his own single-season rushing record with 1,794 yards en route to the International Bowl, where he added a touchdown in a 52-30 win over Ball State.[23] He earned Big East Offensive Player of the Week honors a school-record three times, each with over 200 rushing yards, including 243 against Army—breaking the single-game Rutgers record—despite the team's regression to an 8-5 finish amid defensive inconsistencies.[24][25] Over three seasons, Rice amassed 4,926 career rushing yards, solidifying his role as the cornerstone of Rutgers' offensive resurgence under coach Greg Schiano and enabling back-to-back bowl victories that enhanced the program's competitiveness.[22] No off-field personal issues marred his college tenure, allowing his consistent on-field excellence to define his Scarlet Knights legacy.[21]College statistics
During his three seasons at Rutgers University from 2005 to 2007, Ray Rice accumulated 4,926 rushing yards on 910 carries, averaging 5.4 yards per carry, with 49 rushing touchdowns.[21] He also recorded 37 receptions for 334 receiving yards, averaging 9.0 yards per reception, and 1 receiving touchdown.[21] These figures reflect his role as the primary ball carrier in the Big East Conference, where competition included programs such as West Virginia, Louisville, and Pittsburgh during an era marked by rising parity in the conference but generally below the defensive strength of power conferences like the Big Ten or SEC.[21] Rice's yearly statistics are summarized below:| Year | Class | Games | Rush Att | Rush Yds | Yds/Carry | Rush TD | Rec | Rec Yds | Yds/Rec | Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Freshman | 12 | 195 | 1,120 | 5.7 | 5 | 8 | 65 | 8.1 | 0 |
| 2006 | Sophomore | 13 | 335 | 1,794 | 5.4 | 20 | 4 | 30 | 7.5 | 0 |
| 2007 | Junior | 13 | 380 | 2,012 | 5.3 | 24 | 25 | 239 | 9.6 | 1 |
NFL career
Draft and rookie season
Ray Rice was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round, 55th overall, of the 2008 NFL Draft out of Rutgers University.[1][26] At 5 feet 8 inches tall and approximately 212 pounds, Rice's diminutive stature for a running back generated pre-draft skepticism regarding his ability to handle NFL physicality, though his exceptional vision, agility, and college production mitigated these doubts among evaluators.[1] The Ravens signed him to a four-year contract worth $2.805 million, positioning him as a developmental prospect behind established starter Willis McGahee.[27] In his rookie season under new head coach John Harbaugh, Rice appeared in all 16 games, starting three, primarily serving as a backup and situational runner while acclimating to the professional game's demands.[1] He recorded 102 rushing attempts for 451 yards, averaging 4.4 yards per carry, with one touchdown; he also contributed 25 receptions for 193 yards and a receiving touchdown, showcasing his versatility in the Ravens' zone-blocking scheme.[1] Rice's role emphasized learning the playbook and building strength against larger defenders, as the team prioritized his long-term development over immediate prominence.[1]2009–2010 seasons
In the 2009 season, Rice emerged as the Baltimore Ravens' primary running back, supplanting veterans Willis McGahee and Le'Ron McClain in a committee approach that emphasized his speed and versatility as a change-of-pace option.[1] He recorded 254 rushing attempts for 1,339 yards and 7 touchdowns, averaging 5.3 yards per carry, marking his first 1,000-yard rushing campaign and a significant increase from his rookie totals.[28] Complementing his ground game, Rice added 78 receptions for 702 yards, showcasing his dual-threat capability in offensive coordinator Cam Cameron's scheme.[1] These contributions helped the Ravens achieve a 9-7 record and secure a wild-card playoff berth, where Rice rushed for 159 yards including an 83-yard touchdown on the opening play against the New England Patriots in the January 10, 2010, victory.[29] Building on his 2009 performance, Rice solidified his role as the featured back in 2010, handling a heavier workload amid the Ravens' push for an AFC North title.[1] He amassed 307 rushing attempts for 1,220 yards and 5 touchdowns, maintaining productivity despite a dip in per-carry average to 4.0 yards due to increased volume and defensive adjustments.[30] Rice also contributed 63 receptions for 556 yards, totaling 141 catches over the two seasons that enhanced Baltimore's balanced attack and supported quarterback Joe Flacco's passing efficiency.[1] The Ravens finished 12-4, winning the division and advancing in the playoffs with Rice's efforts, including key runs in the divisional win over the Kansas City Chiefs, though they fell in the AFC Championship Game to the Pittsburgh Steelers.[31]2011–2012 seasons
In the 2011 season, Ray Rice emerged as a versatile workhorse for the Baltimore Ravens, rushing for 1,364 yards on 291 carries at an average of 4.7 yards per attempt while scoring 10 rushing touchdowns.[1] He complemented his ground game with 76 receptions for 704 yards and 1 receiving touchdown, amassing 2,068 total yards from scrimmage—the highest among NFL running backs that year.[1][32] This productivity underscored his dual-threat capability during the Ravens' 12-4 regular season, where he handled 367 touches without missing a game, sustaining his workload through intensive offseason conditioning and preparation.[1][33] Rice's role expanded further in 2012 amid the Ravens' push for contention, as he recorded 1,143 rushing yards on 257 carries with 9 touchdowns, maintaining a 4.4-yard average despite increased defensive focus.[1] His receiving contributions remained robust, with 83 catches for 704 yards, totaling over 1,800 yards from scrimmage and demonstrating sustained versatility in a 10-6 campaign.[1] To manage his heavy workload—approaching 340 touches—Rice emphasized film study to anticipate blocking schemes and enhance efficiency, allowing him to lead running backs in routes run while preserving durability across 16 games.[34][1] Rice's productivity proved crucial in the playoffs en route to the Ravens' postseason advancement, highlighted by a 131-yard rushing performance in the divisional round victory over the Denver Broncos, where his burst helped fuel a comeback effort.[1] His ability to grind out tough yards and exploit passing lanes as a receiver solidified his status as a cornerstone of Baltimore's balanced offense during these peak years.[1]2013 season and Super Bowl
In Super Bowl XLVII on February 3, 2013, Ray Rice contributed to the Baltimore Ravens' 34–31 victory over the San Francisco 49ers with 59 rushing yards on 20 carries and 19 receiving yards on four catches, though he lost a fumble during the game.[35] [1] The Ravens' championship win capped the 2012 season but preceded a transitional period for the team's offense.[36] Entering the 2013 NFL season under a five-year, $40 million contract extension signed on July 16, 2012, Rice faced a revamped offensive scheme after the Ravens promoted Jim Caldwell from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator following the mid-2012 dismissal of Cam Cameron.[37] [1] In 15 games, Rice recorded 214 rushing attempts for 660 yards, averaging a career-low 3.1 yards per carry with four touchdowns, marking his least productive rushing output to date.[1] [38] His receiving production also declined to 58 catches for 321 yards and no touchdowns, reflecting reduced involvement in the passing game amid the Ravens' 8–8 finish and playoff miss.[39] [40] Analysts noted the sharp drop in efficiency, with Rice averaging just 44 rushing yards per game, a stark contrast to his prior seasons' versatility.[41]Career statistics
Ray Rice accumulated 6,180 rushing yards on 1,430 carries for a 4.3 yards-per-carry average and 37 rushing touchdowns over 92 regular-season games in his NFL career.[1] He also recorded 369 receptions for 3,034 receiving yards and 6 receiving touchdowns.[1] His career fumble total stood at 9, reflecting a low rate of approximately one fumble per 200 touches when combining rushing attempts and receptions.[1]| Category | Games | Rush Att | Rush Yds | YPC | Rush TD | Rec | Rec Yds | Rec TD | Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 92 | 1,430 | 6,180 | 4.3 | 37 | 369 | 3,034 | 6 | 9 |
| Category | Games | Rush Att | Rush Yds | YPC | Rush TD | Rec | Rec Yds | Rec TD | Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playoffs | 12 | 191 | 750 | 3.9 | 5 | 37 | 296 | 1 | 6 |
Awards and accomplishments
Ray Rice was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2011, 2012, and 2013, recognizing his standout performance as a running back for the Baltimore Ravens.[1] He also earned second-team All-Pro honors from the Associated Press in 2009 and 2011 for his rushing and receiving contributions.[1] Rice contributed to the Ravens' victory in Super Bowl XLVII on February 3, 2013, defeating the San Francisco 49ers 34–31, marking the franchise's second NFL championship.[1] During his tenure, he became the first Ravens running back to record back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons, achieving 1,339 yards in 2009 and 1,220 yards in 2010, followed by 1,364 yards in 2011 for three consecutive seasons over 1,000 rushing yards.[1] [44] In team records, Rice holds the Ravens' single-season mark for scrimmage yards by a running back with 2,363 in 2011 (1,364 rushing and 999 receiving), surpassing previous benchmarks for total offensive production from the backfield.[1] At Rutgers University, he received first-team All-American recognition in 2007 after rushing for 1,794 yards and 20 touchdowns.[45]| Award/Honor | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| Pro Bowl selection | 2011, 2012, 2013[1] |
| Second-team All-Pro | 2009, 2011[1] |
| Super Bowl champion | XLVII (2013)[1] |
| First-team All-American (college) | 2007[45] |