Ray Rice's wife stands by her man
Video footage, released by celebrity news website TMZ earlier this week, shows American footballer Ray Rice, who is a running back for the team the Baltimore Ravens, knocking his then-fiancée out cold with a single punch.
The footage, which was captured in February in the lift of a hotel in Atlantic City, shows Ray knock Janay Palmer off her feet.
She then slumps to the floor, and Ray drags her out of the lift. (TMZ released footage of the latter part of the incident in July this year, but the clip showing the actual punch was only released on Monday)
Yesterday, Palmer defended her now-husband's actions on her Instagram account (the two got married since the incident).
Here's what she wrote:
"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 [off] 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!"
Are you as surprised as I am at Janay's reaction?
The National Football League (NFL) has indefinitely suspended Rice based on the new video evidence (below) and the Ravens have terminated his contract.
Meanwhile, survivors of domestic violence have shared their stories via social media, using the hashtag #WhyIStayed - and saying that Janay shouldn't be judged and that there are many reaons people stay in abusive relationships. Writer Beverly Gooden started the hashtag, which has since trended in several countries.
I stayed because my pastor told me that God hates divorce. It didn't cross my mind that God might hate abuse, too. #WhyIStayed
— Beverly Gooden (@bevtgooden) September 8, 2014
All these folks trashing women for staying in abusive situations have NO clue what happens the moment you reach for a door handle.
— Beverly Gooden (@bevtgooden) September 8, 2014
#WhyIstayed because I refused to believe that the man who could be so sweet, gentle, and kind could actually mean me harm.
— bois suq (@boissuq) September 9, 2014
Because every time was the last time #WhyIStayed
— Katie Yeager (@Katiebyeager) September 8, 2014