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Speaking to a media outlet for the first time since his Today show appearance, former Ravens running back Ray Rice touched on how his life has changed since he was arrested for punching his now-wife Janay Rice in a casino elevator.
In an extensive interview with The Baltimore Sun's Aaron Wilson, Rice talked about the shame he felt after the incident and that he's hopeful for a second chance to play again in the NFL. As it pertains to the Ravens, Rice said he feels no ill will toward owner Steve Bisciotti after he was cut following the release of the video showing him punching Janay.
"I still feel the same about Steve," Rice said. "They were family. ... You have to understand the fine line that it's business. That doesn't mean they don't feel a certain way about the person. Steve is a great, great guy. I put him in a tough position. I screwed that up. I always take that approach. I have to be accountable. If I had never committed my act, then Steve is never in that position because he had already done what he had to do, he took care of my family."
Rice also had good things to say about general manager Ozzie Newsome, who came to his defense during the NFL's reinstatement hearing.
"As much as I want to call it backing me up and vouching for me, it was just Ozzie being Ozzie," Rice said. "He's a straightforward guy. ... Ozzie never lied to me. ... As hard as it was for him to call me that day and tell me my contract was being terminated, that's Ozzie. They make him do the tough things around there. That's what his job calls for, being bluntly honest."