A video of Ray Rice hitting his wife Janay Palmer and knocking her out surfaced on Monday, and his co-workers are not standing up for him. In a league that prides itself on being a brotherhood, NFL players have been known to forgive each other for some pretty idiotic acts. Rice crossed the line.
A number of NFL players have already spoken out against Rice. Denver Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton took one of the stronger stances.
“That man should be thrown out the the (NFL) and thrown into jail,” Knighton wrote on Twitter. “Shame on those deciding his punishment. Smh. If there’s anyway to open that case up and give this guy the punishment he deserves, it NEEDS to be done.
“As players we must speak up. Stand up for what’s right. I don’t give a damn who (you) are or how much money you make. No place for this. This video makes me sick to my stomach. As players we always speak on how we are unfairly treated. Well, now what?”
[WATCH: Ray Rice punches wife Janay Palmer on elevator, knocks her out]
That last point from Knighton is a great one. How much have we heard about the NFL not educating players on head injuries and owners using them as mere investments to make money? Rice got off as easy as he possibly could have, and now the NFL is scrambling to find a way to correct its mistake.
Other current and former players shared an opinion similar to that of Knighton.
I'm glad no one this morning seems to care about yesterday's games. This piece of shit needs to be out of the league. Period.
— Scott Fujita (@sfujita55) September 8, 2014
His mind was made up he was going to hit her when they got on elevator. Couldn't be my daughter, suspension would be least of his concerns.
— LeCharles Bentley (@LeCharlesBent65) September 8, 2014
2 games?!?! His ass needs to be in jail. I don't smoke weed but I'd rather have a weed head on my team than a Ray Rice. #Coward
— LeCharles Bentley (@LeCharlesBent65) September 8, 2014
Union talking about damb HGH when Ray Rice is playing football… Please. Get y'all priorities together…
— LeCharles Bentley (@LeCharlesBent65) September 8, 2014
He could've killed that girl. They need to sports science the force of that punch. NFL players are STRONG… Like very strong…
— LeCharles Bentley (@LeCharlesBent65) September 8, 2014
I'm done…. Going to MNF game… Glad my ticket is free… Ain't paying for nothing nfl related until RAT RICE retires…
— LeCharles Bentley (@LeCharlesBent65) September 8, 2014
@nflcommish to say you got that wrong is an understatement. Very disappointed in you. Wow…unbelievable.
— London Fletcher (@LFletcher59) September 8, 2014
2 games. Disturbing.
— TJ Lang (@TJLang70) September 8, 2014
Roger Goodell made $44 Million last year to make really difficult decisions. This was an easy one.
— Sage Rosenfels (@SageRosenfels18) September 8, 2014
Dudes that hit women are more than likely soft, insecure individuals on a power trip…
— keith bulluck (@kbull53) September 8, 2014
To all the ravens fans who said I had no clue what happened in the elevator. Apology accepted.
— Nick Sundberg (@NickSundberg) September 8, 2014
Sad day for the @nfl just watched that Ray Rice video 2 games for that and a year suspension for smoking a lil pot idk something not right
— Chris Baker (@cbaker92redskin) September 8, 2014
The Ray Rice video was both disturbing and disgusting. I think the league and Ravens need to revisit the punishment in this particular case.
— Rich Gannon (@RichGannon12) September 8, 2014
The NFL should have zero tolerance for domestic violence. There is never a reason for any man to be violent towards any woman.
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr) September 8, 2014
Previously: Ray Rice’s wife reportedly pleaded with Roger Goodell for light punishment
Previously: Roger Goodell admits he messed up with Ray Rice punishment
Previously: Ray Rice gets a standing ovation upon return to Ravens
H/T Washington Post
