Ray Rice Elevator [VIDEO]: Talks Fiancee Janay Palmer Attack & Domestic Violence

By Joseph Randazzo Joseph.Randazzo@mstarsnews.com | Aug 05, 2015 01:11 PM EDT

Ray Rice was once one of the league's top running backs for the Baltimore Ravens. These days he is having trouble finding a team after surveillance footage recovered last year showed him viciously knocking out his then-fianceé Janay Palmer inside a casino elevator. Rice has been mostly quiet since the attack but this week he finally opened up. During an interview with ESPN's Outside The Lines, Rice claims what he did to his fianceé was one of the worst decisions of his life.

"Domestic violence is real. It happens every 12 seconds as we speak. ... I think that that issue alone with me in my situation, having the video – that puts a lot in perspective. That vivid memory, obviously, that was the worst decision I've ever made in my life," Rice told ESPN.

Rice then went on to say in the interview that he is now a rehabilitated man and teams should look into signing him for this reason. Of course, he also understands that the backlash from public opinion due to his actions makes this tough.

"I understand why maybe a few teams or teams shy away from me," Rice said. "I understand that because it's a privilege. It truly is a privilege to play in the NFL. It's a privilege to play professional sports," Rice said. "I always preach one or two bad decisions, and your dream could become a nightmare. Well, I had to eat my own words. I truly lived a nightmare. There is no set in stone whether you're going to get a second chance or not. I have to set my hope and faith and everything else that I'm doing in my life, I'm just really hopeful for a second chance."

Rice hasn't played in an NFL game since being released by the Ravens last season. Right now he resides in Connecticut where a support group trying to get him back in the NFL surrounds him. The most prominent figure in this group is Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano.

Of course even if a team bites, not only do they have to live with the circus he brings around, but also the fact he may not even be productive. Back in 2013 he had career low years where he rushed for 660 yards and averaged only 3.1 yards per carry.

"To the survivors of domestic violence, I understand how real it is, and I don't want to ever take that for granted because this is a real issue in our society," Rice continued in the interview. "My video put the light out there – if you have never seen what domestic violence looks like and you look at my video, I could understand why some people would never forgive me."

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