Ray Rice Returns To Baltimore, Tries To Repair Image
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- He left the Ravens in disgrace but Wednesday night, Ray Rice returned to Baltimore, trying to reclaim his image. The former running back gave back to some kids in our area, as he pushes for another chance in the NFL.
Meghan McCorkell went one-on-one with Rice.
Rice says he's been training a lot and spending time with his wife and daughter as he hopes to reignite his NFL career.
A major surprise for some young football players and cheerleaders as former Ravens player Ray Rice came back to Baltimore.
"When you become a part of a community, essentially it's my family," Rice said. "How could I abandon my family?"
Working to revamp his image, Rice donated cheerleading uniforms and football gloves to the Southwest Seminoles. The team is a haven for children living in a rough neighborhood.
"It does my heart good to see people showing up for these kids," said Derwin Hannah.
"Hopefully this little gift we were able to give them gives them a little hope towards the future," Rice said.
But Rice's future is still in question after he was let go from the Ravens when video of him assaulting his then-fiancee in the elevator of a New Jersey casino went public. The backlash spread across the league.
Rice was reinstated by the NFL nearly a year ago but so far, no team has given him a second chance.
Rice is getting some high-powered support with the head of the NFL players' union recently saying "I do think he deserves every opportunity to show he's worthy of forgiveness. He made a mistake---an awful mistake---and he's paid an awful price."
Some fans agree.
"I still think the NFL should have gave him a chance because no one can judge his heart. Everybody deserves a second chance," said Shanell Adams.
It's something Ray Rice is praying for.
"I'm hopeful. I'm very hopeful for a second chance," he said.
But whether he'll get back in the huddle is still up in the air.
So far, no NFL team has even invited Rice to come work out with them.
The charges against Rice led to a new NFL policy on domestic violence.