Baltimore Ravens' Ray Rice is shown with daughter Rayven and then-girlfriend, now wife Janay Palmer at the Lyric Opera House in Baltimore on March 11, 2013. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service)It is painful to consider, but there is a very real possibility that Ray Rice will play again. Maybe even soon.
After a successful appeal of his indefinite suspension, Rice was reinstated to the NFL and is eligible to play immediately.
Because he was cut by the Ravens before his suspension, Rice is a free agent who can sign for and play with any team.
Rice has served his punishment for the domestic assault incident that occurred last summer. Although many might complain that Rice was let off easy, he fulfilled the punishment obligations handed out by the court and sat out 12 games without pay, losing millions in the process.
I'm not saying Rice should be forgiven simply because he lost money and didn't get to play. I for one don't believe Rice's appeal should have been approved or that he should play again.
But fans have to swallow the bitter pill and look at reality. NFL teams will overlook almost anything if they think it will help them reach the Super Bowl.
The Saints overlooked Sean Payton's bounty scandal (admittedly overseen by his defensive coordinator) and welcomed him back with open arms after his suspension.
Josh Brent, former nose tackle for the Cowboys, was allowed on the sidelines after he drove drunk and killed a teammate.
The list goes on and on. The NFL is a business and criminal records don't talk — talent does. If a player can still contribute to a winning team, his sins mean nothing.
What will matter, though, is the media backlash. We've seen it with guys like Tim Tebow and Michael Sam who, despite their talents, were shied away from because of the media storm they attracted.
Rice will be the same way. If he signs with a team, that team will be swamped with media to document Rice's every move.
Executives will have to weigh the cost of that attention against whatever benefit Rice might bring to the field. Remember that just a few short seasons ago, Rice was one the NFL's best running backs.
However, the useful career of a running back in this league is almost impossibly short, and even before his suspension, Rice was showing signs of decay.
That apparent downturn, which might signal the deterioration of Rice's once prodigious talent, coupled with the media firestorm bound to follow him wherever he goes, might just be enough to keep teams away.
But there might just be one owner or general manager desperate enough to take a chance on Rice.
At that point, fans will likely be hurt and angry as is their right. Domestic violence is a terrible crime and one that has come to the forefront of our minds in large part due to the actions of Rice and other NFL players.
Despite that, Rice could very well play again. While that may not be right or fair, it is a bitter reality with which fans will have to come to terms.
Reach the sports editor at icbeck@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @ICBeck21
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