The Baltimore Ravens have released a statement denying that the team told Ray Rice's wife Janay Rice what to say at a May press conference apologizing for her "actions" the night Rice punched her in an elevator, which were in response to comments Rice made in an interview with the Today Show and Matt Lauer.
According to Pro Football Talk, the Ravens are denying giving Janay Rice any script or direction about what to say, stating that they did give Ray Rice "talking points" to use during the press conference, but nothing to his wife. There could be some confusion here, as Janay could take what the Ravens gave Rice as a "script" but clearly the two sides have a differing opinion on what happened.
While the Ravens deny they gave Rice any direction, the team was happy to tweet on their official Twitter account that Rice apologized for "the role..that she played the night of the incident" at the May press conference. That tweet also stayed live until September when the Rice situation turned into a PR nightmare and the team had to cover their tracks. That could be part of what's going on here, but either way, Rice had his suspension overturned and now can sign with any team. It probably won't be the Ravens.
Ravens statement: "There has been some discussion in the media about the Ravens providing a ‘script' or ‘suggested script' to Janay and Ray Rice prior to a May 23 press session," Ravens senior V.P. of public and community relations Kevin Byrne said in the release. "After conversations with Ray about what he wanted to say, we did provide talking points to Ray for this event. (Those talking points are attached. Preparing talking points and briefings for meetings with reporters is common in our business.) After Ray informed the Ravens that Janay wanted also to speak at the event, I asked Ray on two different days if Ray wanted me to speak with Janay in advance of the press session. Both times, Ray declined and said: ‘She's good. She knows what she wants to say.' At no time prior to the May 23 session did we provide talking points, a script or suggested script to Janay or speak with her about the press event. We did not recommend or suggest to Ray or Janay that she apologize in any way."
