National Football League
Get caught up with all the latest in the Ray Rice controversy
National Football League

Get caught up with all the latest in the Ray Rice controversy

Published Sep. 9, 2014 2:30 p.m. ET

The Ray Rice story continues to develop, seemingly by the hour.

After TMZ leaked the video of Rice knocking out now-wife Janay in a casino elevator back in February, the internet brushfire began to rage.

On Monday, the Baltimore Ravens cut Rice, then the NFL suspended him indefinitely. On Tuesday, there was more fallout, including statements released by both Ray and Janay Rice. Here is Ray Rice’s statement, as told to ESPN:

"I have to be strong for my wife. She is so strong. We are in good spirits. We have a lot of people praying for us and we’ll continue to support each other. I have to be there for (Janay) and my family right now and work through this.”

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Earlier on Tuesday, Janay posted a gripping message on her Instagram account, saying:

"I woke up this morning feeling like I had a horrible nightmare, feeling like I'm mourning the death of my closest friend," Janay Rice wrote. "But to have to accept the fact that it's reality is a nightmare in itself. No one knows the pain that the media & unwanted options from the public has caused my family. To make us relive a moment in our lives that we regret every day is a horrible thing. To take something away from the man I love that he has worked his ass off for all his life just to gain ratings is horrific.

"THIS IS OUR LIFE! What don't you all get. If your intentions were to hurt us, embarrass us, make us feel alone, take all happiness away, you've succeeded on so many levels. Just know we will continue to grow & show the world what real love is! Ravensnation we love you!"

This came on the heels of TMZ releasing another video Tuesday that showed Janay and Ray Rice yelling obscenities at each other before the elevator incident.

In the midst of all this, Rice’s public plight continued. EA Sports booted his likeness from Madden 15. Nike ended its business relationship with Rice, too. 

Baltimore residents flocked in droves to give back Ray Rice jerseys.

Newspapers haven’t held back, either.

In the wake of the Rice incident, the NFL will have to address other pending domestic abuse cases.

Later Tuesday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell -- under fire over the league's handling of the situation -- appeared on CBS News to address the controversy, asserting that the NFL was denied access to the video and going after TMZ for reporting otherwise.

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft spoke out Tuesday as well, praising Goodell and saying he doesn't think Rice will play another game in the NFL.

Meanwhile, lawmakers in New Jersey are calling for a review of the legal decision that allowed Rice to enter a pretrial intervention program rather than potentially face charges.

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti spoke up Tuesday in the form of a letter to stakeholders in the team. The 901-word memo was his explanation of the timeline of events and ended with an apology.

On Wednesday, former Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma -- who came under fire in Bountygate -- ripped the NFL commish on Twitter. The National Organization for Women also called for Goodell to step down.

Along the way, there has been plenty of commentary on the situation, including from this site. Our Alex Marvez questioned why it had to take a second video for the NFL to act more harshly with Rice. Clay Travis pointed out the inescapable power of the videotape in today's social media age. And Katie Nolan had a better solution than boycotting the NFL -- how about we empower female voices in sports?

No matter what happens next, it look like Ray Rice may not be back on an NFL field for a while — if ever.

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