Ray Rice; Recovered and Ready to play

Ray Rice has been out of a NFL career for a few years now, a rightful decision more than ready to be nullified. It’s now time for a team to finally sign the newly recovered running back.

Before I start, I use the word “recover” loosely, as it’s more of a maturity into a man than it is a recovery. In the wake of the ever famous “elevator incident”, Ray Rice was suspended and ultimately released by the Baltimore franchise.

Following his departure, the Ravens quickly moved forward with a new run game further erasing any remnants left of Rice.

The abusive Rice dealt with his personal demons by entering rehabilitation programs, facing his problems head on. His family life greatly improved, welcoming the birth of his second child this past year.

Janay Rice, Rays wife, was quick to accept his apology, although strongly criticized.

Had his wife not have been so supportive of him following the release of the footage, this article wouldn’t exist. Skeptics will be quick to say that abuse victims are too scared to leave etc. In some cases this is absolutely correct, not so much in this one.

Now don’t get me wrong, I do not support abuse in any shape or form, I do however support those whom are willing to change. Quite like an addict, the path to personal sanctuary starts with the acceptance of the underlying issues. Ray Rice absolutely fits this description.

From a football standpoint, Ray has a knack for the endzone. He’s a big time player and would make an immediate impact on a running back starved team.

A steady work horse for the Baltimore Ravens for his entire career, he hoisted a Lombardi trophy in 2012 proving his worth in the league. In just six seasons he has rushed for over 6000 yards, and averaged 4.3 yards a carry. Teams that are hurting in the backfield, such as Indianapolis. Would definitely notice a positive impact on the field.

It’s off the field where I feel Ray would make the most difference. The league is filled with young athletes looking for guidance. Something Ray relied on so early in his career. Being mentored by the great Ray Lewis and Ed Reed early on, helped transition Rice to the big league. Signing with a team will allow the youth of the team to get a first hand account of what it’s like to be up so high, only to come tumbling down.

The summer of 2016 seen Rice pledge to donate his entire years salary to domestic abuse organizations, trying to set an example.

The NFL has had its fair share of legal scandals involving its players, a dramatic spike in domestic violence in the past few seasons. While the situation is nothing new the outcome of the guilty individual is.

It is truly a sign of character to put yourself in the spotlight to own your mistakes, most of us couldn’t do it with minimal eyes watching.

More from With the First Pick

Ray has gone above and beyond to prove to not only the world but himself, that he has reinvented the violent person he was just a short time ago. It may sound crazy, but it’s an inspirational thing to see.

Mental health is a tough thing, abuse and domestic violence seem to almost walk hand in hand with it. There needs to be less of a stigma surrounding “getting help,” its not a joke. Make no mistake, the actions displayed by Rice in that security footage were horrifying, inhumane and highly inappropriate.

Nevertheless, he made no excuses and went straight to work on rebuilding himself rather than his image.

So with that being said, as a male and a human being. It is only right that we as a society, welcome back Ray Rice.

It doesn’t have to be with open arms, the wounds are still fresh. It will be mostly for the chauvinistically charged locker rooms. The dream will always be there, as long as his passion and dedication to being a better husband, father and most importantly a person, remains.