Ray Rice News: RB's Hopes Of NFL Return May Be Waning Amid 'Lifelong Penalty'

One of the few professional athletes to rehabilitate himself after a domestic violence incident is starting to sound like he's resigned to the fact that he may be a professional athlete no longer.

Ray Rice responded to questions about domestic violence accusations against baseball players Aroldis Chapman and Jose Reyes from Mike Lupica on Sports on Earth.

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The ostracized football player again commented without judgment.

"I haven't followed these (baseball) guys' cases," Rice said earlier this week. "But what they should understand is that they need to be remorseful about decisions they might have made in a heated moment, whatever the penalties they're going to face."

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But in the same conversation, the former Ravens running back gave an indication that he knows his attempts at an NFL return may be futile.

"I keep telling myself that I might play football again," Rice said. "This is America, the land of second chances. So I'm hopeful that somebody will find it in their hearts to give me a second chance. But if they don't, I am grateful that I got a second chance with my wife, and with my daughter. I promise you I'm thankful for what I have right now. I just want the opportunity to end my career right.

"I understand that whatever happens, I am dealing with a lifelong penalty."

Sports on Earth acknowledged that the only factor separating Rice from other athletes faced with domestic violence accusations (including Adrian Peterson's legal issues involving the manner in which he disciplined his 4-year-old son with a tree branch in 2014) is the video of Rice caught in the act.

But Rice has taken measures to educate and rehabilitate himself to the point of becoming an advocate for victims of domestic violence. Yet he still remains on the sidelines while others are still given chances to play.

"No video on Aroldis Chapman or Jose Reyes. Chapman has already said that if there's any kind of suspension, he will appeal, which is his right," Sports on Earth reported. "But Chapman will get his second chance, sooner or later. Everybody does. Just not Ray Rice."

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