A week after Ravens running back Ray Rice took to Twitter to criticize Steelers receiver Hines Ward for getting arrested for drunk driving, Rice has waded back into the issue, and he’s not backing down.
“I didn’t put it on Twitter to disrespect,” Rice told the Baltimore Sun. “I just said ‘it’s not a good look.’ Their whole town knows it’s not a good look. It doesn’t matter what team you play for. When it comes across the ticker that you got arrested for a DUI, it’s not a good look.”
Rice said Ward should know that as a role model, he has a special responsibility.
“People look up to you, Hines,” Rice said. “You just were on TV with Dancing with the Stars. Ravens fans were upset that you won Dancing with the Stars but they still watched you. That shows your charisma and character. You’ve got a legacy in the NFL that no one can take away from you. But if you hurt somebody drunk driving, that takes away a lot.”
Rice noted that he had a cousin who was killed by a drunk driver in 1998, and since then he has taken drunk driving personally.
“Drunk driving is one of those things that hits a soft spot in my life,” Rice said. “I don’t care if you’re a Pittsburgh Steeler or a Baltimore Raven or whoever you are, if you get caught drunk driving, that’s not a smart judgment.”
Rice also made a smart point about how ridiculous it is for any NFL player not to hire a driver if he’s going to be drinking.
“We make enough money,” Rice said. “It’s $150 for a car service for the rest of the night.”
Fans of Ward might not like Rice’s blunt criticism, but I respect Rice for speaking out. He’s right.