Raymell "Ray" Rice (born January 22, 1987) is a former American football player who made his name as a running back. He grew up in New Rochelle, New York and played college football at Rutgers University, where his performance drew the attention of National Football League scouts. Rice was selected in the second round, 55th overall, of the 2008 NFL Draft and spent his professional career with the Baltimore Ravens until his release in 2014. He is also widely associated with the league known as the National Football League.

College and entry to the NFL

At Rutgers Rice developed as a multi-purpose back who could run between the tackles and contribute in the passing game. His collegiate play established him as one of the more productive backs in the program's history and led to his selection by the Ravens. Scouts noted his vision, contact balance and receiving ability out of the backfield.

Professional career and playing style

In the NFL Rice became the Ravens' primary back, combining rushing and receiving duties. He was recognized for decisive cuts, short-area burst, and a willingness to block and catch passes. Rice earned multiple individual honors and was part of a Ravens roster that emphasized a balanced, run-first offensive identity.

Notable achievements

  • Selected to the Pro Bowl in multiple seasons.
  • Key contributor to the Ravens' championship run, culminating in victory in Super Bowl XLVII.
  • Remembered as one of the more productive backs in Baltimore during his tenure.

Rice and the Ravens defeated the San Francisco 49ers in the Super Bowl that closed the 2012 season, a high point of his professional career.

2014 incident and aftermath

In 2014 Rice's on-field career was overshadowed by a widely publicized domestic violence incident that received intense media and public scrutiny. The incident led to his release from the Ravens and disciplinary action by NFL authorities, and it triggered a broader league-wide discussion about how the NFL handles player conduct and domestic violence. The episode significantly affected Rice's career and public reputation.

Since leaving the league Rice has remained largely absent from professional football. He has made public appearances and, in some settings, discussed the episode and its consequences, while commentators have debated how the incident influenced policies and attitudes toward personal conduct among professional athletes.

Ray Rice's career combines notable athletic accomplishments with a controversial and consequential off-field episode. He is frequently cited in discussions of athlete conduct policy, player rehabilitation, and how teams and leagues respond to personal conduct issues.