Ray Rice got in under the holiday weekend deadline for bad news with his first press conference since being arrested for assaulting his wife, thought it’s hard to call it one.
Rice didn’t take questions from reporters, reading a prepared statement only at the advice of his lawyers.
“We were blessed to work it out together,” Rice said, sitting alongside his wife Janay. “No relationship is perfect.”
Rice was able to avoid prosecution on assault charges from an Atlantic City casino incident, after being accepted into a pre-trial intervention program.
“I am working every day to be a better husband, a better role model,” Rice said. “I’m still the guy you know. . . .
“I wish me and Janay could take back 30 seconds of our life.”
His wife also spoke, saying she apologized for her role in the situation, saying “I love Ray, and I know he will continue to prove himself.”
Rice made sure to apologize to Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti, along with General Manager Ozzie Newsome and coach John Harbaugh, along with “my fans, kids, everyone who was affected by this situation.”
Through it all, he’s had the support of the organization, with team president Dick Cass coming to his defense this week.
He’s still subject to league discipline under the conduct policy.