Rutgers head coach Kyle Flood called Monday a “sad day” for Ray Rice and the university after seeing new video of the Baltimore Ravens running back punching his now-wife and knocking her unconscious in an elevator in Atlantic City, N.J.
Flood opened his weekly press conference Monday by making a statement and answering some questions about Rice, who played and starred for the Scarlet Knights from 2005 to 2007.
“Ray will always be a part of our family,” Flood said, via NJ.com. “The video I saw this morning was difficult to watch. As a husband and as a father, there’s nothing that could justify what I saw on that video.”
Prior to Monday, the only video released of the incident showed Rice dragging Janay Palmer from the hotel elevator. Monday marked the first time footage of Rice striking his then-fiancee has been shown, and it is certainly shocking and disturbing.
While Rutgers promotes a family motto within its football program, Flood — who was the offensive line coach while Rice was at Rutgers — admitted the Ravens back failed to live up to expectations. Flood wouldn’t directly answer whether Rutgers will attempt to distance itself from Rice, who is still honored by the program with a commemorative jersey and in a highlight video shown at High Point Solutions Stadium.
“Family is family, but at Rutgers we hold ourselves to an extremely high standard. We expect a lot out of our players, we expect a lot out of the coaches and the staff members we have here in the Hale Center, and we expect a lot out of our alumni. I think because of those expectations, this is a sad day.”
Photo via USA TODAY Sports Images/Ed Mullholland
