Ray Lewis on Ray Rice

[Runscott]

Nice to know where Ray Lewis draws the line on violence.

Surprised ESPN didn't interview Bobby Cox.

[clydepepper]

What amazes me about this mess is that the woman decided to marry him AFTER it happened. Did he make more promises than the normal groom based on his actions? Probably. Will she hold this as something she would always be able to use against him? Probably. Hard to see a healthy relationship there. I predict it will not end good.

The shame is that it perpetuates the habit of women staying with men who mistreat them...sometimes with fatal results (i.e. OJ and several others)

I maybe alone because I was always a gentleman, but I can live with that.

[HRBAKER]

Interesting comments from someone who would be better served keeping his mouth shut on this one.

[packs]

The whole situation is totally confusing to me. I keep reading comments like "the video changed things" but in all honesty, what did the video change? Everyone already knew this "man" knocked his wife out. Everyone saw her laid out on the ground and him trying to figure out what to do now.

So now we've seen him knock her out. What did anyone think happened in that elevator before the video was released? Did the Ravens and the NFL think that maybe Ray Rice just sneezed and elbowed his wife by accident? This is exactly what should have happened in the first place. The NFL and Ravens are disgusting. They make this move only when the public forces them to, and its in the name of PR rather than taking the stance that the NFL will not accept this behavior.

[nolemmings]

Originally Posted by packs

The whole situation is totally confusing to me. I keep reading comments like "the video changed things" but in all honesty, what did the video change? Everyone already knew this "man" knocked his wife out. Everyone saw her laid out on the ground and him trying to figure out what to do now.

So now we've seen him knock her out. What did anyone think happened in that elevator before the video was released? Did the Ravens and the NFL think that maybe Ray Rice just sneezed and elbowed his wife by accident? This is exactly what should have happened in the first place. The NFL and Ravens are disgusting. They make this move only when the public forces them to, and its in the name of PR rather than shining a light on an animal and taking the stance that the NFL will not accept this behavior.

+1. The video added nothing but confirmation of what was already known, and what Rice already admitted doing. He accepted full responsibility and offered no excuses. That of course doesn't make it right, but the video only titillates the masses. It might have been different had it shown him crowding her immediately upon entering the elevator and then wailing like a boxer. However, it was a simple one punch, as he had admitted. She came at him, he has no where to go, should have just taken it---I'm offering no excuses but again, this video did not change a damn thing.

Now of course there's the rush to see who can be the most outraged, and the hunt for those who don't express enough of it--they must be insensitive at best and part of the problem at worst. Further affirmation of our society today- extreme reactions only please, all others need not apply.

[Section103]

I don't disagree with anyone above that the video should not have changed things, but I will take a slightly different view and at least explain a bit of "why" things have changed. Most importantly, I had an inherent misplaced belief that the justice system was not failing so catastrophically. I knew something bad really happened, but I also didn't know all that happened. I knew that BOTH (yes BOTH) parties were charged with assault. Combine those two things with the belief that the justice system was working remotely appropriately, and Im inclined to at least not rush to judgment and outrage. I acknowledge nothing she could have done could have made Rice's actions justifiable. I have never even begun to justify or support Rice in any way. Both the fact that both parties were charged and not knowing "what really happened" is a completely different position from where I am today.

The biggest travesty in all of this is that the criminal system had all of this information all along and merely sent Rice to class. Its a travesty of justice. I don't really give a crap about the NFL or whether Rice plays again (I hope he doesn't). Most importantly, I find the actions of the legal system absolutely chilling.

[Runscott]

They do all mention race but are also observable occurrences, so you cannot state that he made assumtions. You have no idea what he observed and what he assumed.

Sent from my SM-G730V using Tapatalk

[Runscott]

Also, your point about variables is irrelevant to my previous comments. Obviously you could carry it to even more ludicrous extremes and ask why he didnt append a statistical analysis to his email.

Sent from my SM-G730V using Tapatalk

[packs]

His comments directly echo multiple stereotypes perpetuated about African Americans. So my assumptions that they were motivated by general and totally non-specific views (i.e. stereotypes) about race are valid in my mind, especially in the absence of any other variables. For example, there is no discussion about the quality / selection of the food and beverage options and merchandise available at Hawks games. But he does assume that African American fans are definitely not buying them because they don't have any money. And he's positive that white fans, solely because they're white, do have money (three times as much according to his Thrashers quote).


Putting that aside, what is there to defend about his comments? The direct quotes I've posted don't bother you at all?

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by packs

His comments directly echo multiple stereotypes perpetuated about African Americans. So my assumptions that they were motivated by general and totally non-specific views (i.e. stereotypes) about race are valid in my mind, especially in the absence of any other variables. For example, there is no discussion about the quality / selection of the food and beverage options and merchandise available at Hawks games. But he does assume that African American fans are definitely not buying them because they don't have any money. And he's positive that white fans, solely because they're white, do have money (three times as much according to his Thrashers quote).


Putting that aside, what is there to defend about his comments? The direct quotes I've posted don't bother you at all?

That's a good question. It is certainly possible that he's offering up items that whites would be more interested in purchasing, and same for food selection. So what food items would you suggest he offer?

Meanwhile, since you have ignored my rebuttal that the Hawks' owner could very well have physically observed the fact that there are not very many black fathers attending games with their sons, I'll move on to some other discussions. Making assumptions about the man doesn't do anyone any good.

[packs]

Hey, we just have different opinions. No big deal. I think he chose a poor way of expressing himself.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by packs

Hey, we just have different opinions. No big deal. I think he chose a poor way of expressing himself.

True, it's no big deal.

I wonder if anyone else thinks he was just using the old email to get out of owning the team.

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Nice to know where Ray Lewis draws the line on violence.

Ray Lewis is sharp as a knife. Some of his commentary can be very cutting.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by ooo-ribay

Ray Lewis is sharp as a knife. Some of his commentary can be very cutting.

Bad boys with abusive or felonious histories are chosen as sportscasters for a reason - there has to be a large number of NFL viewers who are attracted to these guys. From what I remember, it started with Michael Irvin. I was stunned that he was even allowed to be seen on t.v., much less give his opinion on anything. Now you have Ray Lewis. Fortunately for the more discriminating NFL fans, Ray Rice is not anywhere near 'eloquent', so we will be spared getting to see him as a sportscaster some day (if he survives this). Same for Mike Vick - I'm sure the pit bull NFL crowd would love to listen to his opinion on Sundays.

[howard38]

Speaking of NFL scum....I read today that Rae Carruth is expected to be released from prison in just four years. Thankfully he's too old to resume his career but that will add up to only about twenty years for about as heinous a crime as you can imagine.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by howard38

Speaking of NFL scum....I read today that Rae Carruth is expected to be released from prison in just four years. Thankfully he's too old to resume his career but that will add up to only about twenty years for about as heinous a crime as you can imagine.

Oh, I'm sure some team will welcome him back to the NFL as a receiver coach, offensive coordinator or something.

[vintagetoppsguy]

So who will Rice sign with?

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

Look for the Bucs to bring him in at least for a workout.