Ray Rice’s Wife Releases Statement.

Yesterday, TMZ released jarring visuals of Ray Rice knocking his then fiance unconscious in the elevator of an Atlantic City hotel before dragging her into the hallway like a rag doll. The disturbing footage sparked outrage in the news and ultimately led to Rice being suspended indefinitely. Rice was shunned by his NFL peers, entertainers like Seth Rogen and any other person who felt sick after watching the disturbing surveillance footage. But, one important person’s voice was missing, the victim herself–Rice’s wife Janay kept quiet as social media erupted with hashtags like #WhyIStayed and #WhyILeft.
Janay broke her silence in a statement on a private Instagram account that was verified by the Baltimore Sun:

 “I woke up this morning feeling like I had a horrible nightmare, feeling like I’m mourning the death of my closest friend. 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 of 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!”
Domestic violence is a complicated subject. We do not not pass judgement on Janay for deciding to marry Rice after the violent night, that was her choice. We just hope she is safe.