Ravens say they never suggested for Janay Rice to apologize at first press conference

The Ravens aren't too thrilled with a something Ray and Janay Rice said that aired on The Today Show this week.

The Rices, conducting their first on-camera interview since Ray Rice was reinstated to the NFL, claimed the Ravens suggested that Janay Rice apologize for what happened at Revel Casino in February. That has struck a chord with the Ravens, which released a statement contradicting this claim through vice president of public and community relations Kevin Byrne.

"There has been some discussion 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. (Those talking points are attached. Preparing talking points and briefings for meetings with reporters is common in our business.) 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."

Here are the talking points that the Ravens attached in a Word document:

I Take Full Responsibility For What Happened That Night. I Apologize...(list all you want to address)

We Will Not Let This One Night Define Who We Are

I Was Wrong. I Made a Mistake.

I Regret My Behavior. I'm Embarrassed.

I Hold Myself to a Higher Standard and I Failed.

We Can Do Something Going Forward By Admitting Our Mistakes and Making Sure We Serve as an Example of Doing the Right Things

I Have Been Busted Up Over My Behavior. I've Been in Anguish. That Is Not the Way I Was Raised. I Am So Sorry Mom...And Janay's Family

I Pride Myself On Being a Good Example and Role Model to Younger People. I Failed Miserably

Janay and I Are in Counseling, and We Will Continue This. We are Determined to, as Coach Harbaugh Says, Make This Right...COUNSELING HAS BEEN GREAT FOR ME AND US. I'VE TAKEN STEPS TO BE A BETTER HUSBAND, FATHER AND ROLE MODEL.

I Completely Understand Any Person, Group or Company That Wants to Distance Themselves From Me. That's My Fault. I Am Working to Re-Build That Trust, Especially With Young People Who Look Up to Me

I Am Working To Be the Best Person I Can Be. We Are Working Together.

We Are Building to Be the Best Partners We Can Be to Each Other and the Best Parents We Can Be to Rayven

Thank you

It's unlike the Ravens to craft something like this if they felt Rice was telling the truth. Of course, this doesn't necessarily prove anything. The Rices could easily say that it was verbally communicated to them.

But Byrne and the PR department decided to keep the story going by issuing a denial. Given the circumstance, why would someone want to keep a negative story alive?

It sure looks like the Ravens felt the Rices lied about what they said that was aired this week.