Ravens Honoring Ray Rice vs. Dolphins

A familiar, albeit controversial face will be in the building for the Baltimore Ravens' biggest game of the season when they host the Miami Dolphins.

A familiar, albeit controversial face will be in the building for the Baltimore Ravens' biggest game of the season when they host the Miami Dolphins at 1 p.m. at M&T Bank Stadium. 

Baltimore will honor former running back Ray Rice as its 'Legend of the Game," on Sunday. Rice played for the Ravens from 2008-2013 and was one of the best running backs in franchise history before a domestic violence incident, where he punched his then-fiancée, Janay Palmer, on Feb. 15, 2014. Rice was suspended by the NFL and cut by the Ravens afterward.

Ray Rice had 9,214 total yards in his career / USA Today Sports

Rice and Palmer have now been married for nine years and have two children, Rayven and Jaylen.

"I truly understand why I was let go and why so many hearts changed," Rice said via the team's website. "But hopefully, people can see where I'm at now. They say people can change, right? I am not the same person I was 10-12 years ago. That's just not who I am."

Since retiring, Rice has moved back to the Baltimore area and now coaches two youth football teams. Rice also began a non-profit organization in 2019 that provides sports equipment, toys and mentoring to kids in Baltimore and Rochelle, N.Y., which is where he grew up.  

"On his own accord, Ray undertook critical work within himself and to bring awareness to and educate others on domestic violence," Ravens President Sashi Brown said. "Nothing will change his past or make it right, but Ray's work has allowed him to atone for his actions and rebuild relationships personally and professionally, including with the Ravens."

Rice is the Ravens' second-all-time leader in rushing yards (6,180) and touchdowns (37), only trailing Jamal Lewis in both stats. Rice had the best season of his career in 2011 when he had over 2,000 total yards. Rice ran for 1,364 yards and a career-high 12 touchdowns, and he had 704 receiving yards and three touchdowns through the air. 

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He also eclipsed 2,000 total yards in 2009, running for 1,339 yards and he had 702 receiving yards.

"I knew it would be hard to forgive me, but the one thing I have been consistent with was that I was going to be better," Rice said. "I'm not going to be a victim of my past. My legacy won't be domestic violence. My legacy will be what I became after."