Video emerges of Rice punching wife: Broncos' Knighton calls for him to be thrown out of NFL
NFL players, both current and former, are speaking out following the release of surveillance footage showing Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice punching his wife (then-fiancee) inside an elevator.
Denver Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton was especially vocal, tweeting that Rice "should be thrown out of the NFL."
That man should be thrown out the the nfl and thrown into jail. Shame on those deciding his punishment. Smh
— Terrance Knighton (@MrKnighton2u) September 8, 2014
As players we must speak up. Stand up for what's right. I don't give a damn who u are or how much money you make. No place for this.
— Terrance Knighton (@MrKnighton2u) September 8, 2014
"As players we always speak on how we are unfairly treated, well now what?" Knighton added.
Former New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns center LeCharles Bentley also unleashed a series of tweets on the matter.
Ray Rice, at a loss for words. If anybody believes that's the FIRST time he's hit a woman, I got an ocean in AZ I'd like to sell you #Coward
— LeCharles Bentley (@LeCharlesBent65) 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
Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report relayed this response from an anonymous Ravens player he's known for some time:
"I don't think he has very much support now at all," the player texted. "I think it's gone."
The player reportedly added that the reason the Ravens' locker room stood behind Rice was that they were given the impression he was defending himself from Palmer (a ridiculous notion, as Freeman points out).
Former Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher, Green Bay Packers guard T.J. Lang, free-agent quarterback Brady Quinn, and Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. expressed disappointment in the NFL's handling of Rice.
@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
Am I the only one who believes it should be a lifetime ban for the first time a player commits domestic violence? They should be done period
— Brady Quinn (@3rd_Goal) 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
"I'm glad no one this morning seems to care about yesterday's games," former linebacker and vice president of the NFLPA's executive committee Scott Fujita tweeted. "This piece of s--- needs to be out of the league. Period."
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