Ray Rice, the Baltimore Ravens’ running back embroiled in a domestic violence scandal, plans to attend a couples seminar with his fiancé who he was arrested for striking in an Atlantic City casino last month.
Coach John Harbaugh said Rice and Janay Palmer, both of whom were arrested for simple assault, remain engaged, despite the incident on Feb. 15.
“I’ve talked to Ray a lot, and really nothing to add other than what’s been said already: The facts will determine the consequences, and we’ll see where it goes,” Harbaugh said at a news conference to announce the five-year, $32 million deal signed by tight end Dennis Pitta. “I haven’t seen anything different, just like you haven’t seen anything different. Ray has told me his side of it, and everything we’ve seen so far is very consistent with what he said.”
Video was released that showed Rice pulling out an unconscious Palmer out of an elevator and leaving her limp body on the floor, a damning visual for a player who had been a model citizen all his career.
Rice’s court appearance was postponed after police referred the case to prosecutors for review. No new date has been set.
“There’s nothing he has said that hasn’t turned out to be the case,” Harbaugh said. “I know Ray is going to spend a week at a seminar type of thing as a couples-type deal. He’s doing everything he can to do what he needs to do and make things right.”
The incident will be reviewed by the NFL under the league’s personal conduct policy. Reports indicated that the couple argued in the casino and exchanged physical contact with each other, which is why Palmer was arrested, although she appeared to have been knocked unconscious.
