Ravens Fans By The Dozens Defend Ray Rice On Twitter
BOSTON (CBS) - Nationwide outrage is being voiced in every medium possible after the NFL announced it would be suspending Ravens running back Ray Rice just two games for hitting his then-fiancee Janay in an Atlantic City casino elevator.
Commissioner Roger Goodell -- besides Rice himself of course -- has drawn the most criticism, for handing out a lenient suspension and an exposed hypocrisy in stronger discipline for lesser crimes.
Most would agree that a two-game suspension and getting fined three game checks is a punishment that does not fit the crime, especially considering other NFL players are facing year-long removals for failed drug tests.
However, there's a strong contingent of Ravens fans on Twitter that believe the punishment is just and that the rest of us should just let it go and leave Rice alone.
A simple advanced Twitter search of "Ray Rice" in the Baltimore area finds some pretty disgusting tweets. It should be noted that most of the tweets from the aforementioned search admonished Rice and the NFL, and that a small group of people in no way represent an entire fan base.
WARNING: Some of these tweets are NSFW and contain graphic language:
"Most called it fair"
Spent time getting a sense from #Ravens fans on @RayRice27 two-game suspension. Most called it fair, believed his conduct will change
— Cheryl Conner Costello (@CherylCCostello) July 24, 2014
According to Chris here, who claims to be from Baltimore and frequently tweets about Baltimore sports teams, hitting a woman and smoking weed are one in the same:
Ms. White here, who through a quick check of her timeline is a #RavensNation diehard, thinks it's time to move on and leave the poor guy alone:
Mikey, also from Baltimore and loves "MMA, Orioles, Ravens, Boxing" in that order, says Janay is also to blame for her assault:
Look, I'm not saying it's cool to hit women, but women only want equal treatment when it's beneficial to them. Don't hit men either.
— Mikey Gilz (@MikeyGilz) July 24, 2014
More victim blaming:
I've been seeing tweets on how Ray Rice's penalty shoulda been greater, and I was wondering. What should his wife's penalty be?
— Anti-Republican AF (@lama_j) July 24, 2014
One more sound piece of reasoning from our friend Mikey:
Ray Rice is a multi million dollar investment who helps support an entire fan base. He has the duty to protect himself from injury.
— Mikey Gilz (@MikeyGilz) July 24, 2014
Lay off alright? Everyone makes mistakes:
All is forgiven for this young lady:
Guys, it was Ray Rice's first time. Cut him some slack!
@wnst I see people are still comparing multiple infraction offenders punishment to Ray Rice's 1st.
— ADOS ????????⛓ (@dth76) July 24, 2014
As long as the suspension doesn't hurt the team, God forbid:
Hope Ray Rice plays with a chip on his shoulder this season !!!
— ENJ (@dablessed1ej) July 24, 2014
This two-game suspension for Ray Rice better not hurt us this season.
— Melissa (@MissMelissa_410) July 24, 2014
Playing running back in the NFL + hitting your wife = 2 different things:
Mad? Go cry about it:
These tweets clearly show a passionate but unrepresentative group of Ravens supporters, and prove once again that sports fans can be very unreasonable.
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