The image associated with Ray Rice’s name never will be the same.
In the wake of a newly released, deeply disturbing video that depicts Rice punching his then-fiancée, Janay Palmer, in the face, the Baltimore Ravens have released the 27-year-old running back and the NFL has suspended him indefinitely.
The fallout from the new evidence began swiftly and strongly, but it is far from over, as several entities associated with Rice have taken action to distance themselves from him.
The whitewashing began with the Ravens, who deleted several controversial tweets sent out months ago regarding the incident, including a particularly insensitive quote from Rice’s live press conference.
The Ravens also deleted a video on their team website that showed Rice receiving a standing ovation from fans during training camp as he returned to the field for the first time after the incident. The accompanying article still can be accessed on the site.
[tweet https://twitter.com/jeffisrael25/status/509080407481286656 align=’center’]
The NFL Shop was next, discontinuing all Ray Rice jerseys from their online store.
[tweet https://twitter.com/JenXperience/status/509081496112873472 align=’center’]
Finally, Rutgers, Rice’s alma mater, is disassociating from the running back by removing Rice from all promotional videos, according to local investigative reporter Josh Margolin.
[tweet https://twitter.com/JoshMargolin/status/509078320835600385 align=’center’]
The scrubbing of Rice’s name, which likely will continue in the coming days, is reminiscent of what took place after Aaron Hernandez was arrested on a murder charge last June. The New England Patriots offered a jersey exchange for fans who had purchased the tight end’s jersey, while the University of Florida removed Hernandez’s All-American brick from outside its stadium.
Thumbnail photo via Chuck Cook/USA TODAY Sports Images
