Ravens to honor Ray Rice as 'Legend of the Game' nearly a decade after domestic violence suspension

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Ray Rice spent six seasons with the Baltimore Ravens before the leak of a video of him punching a woman, now his wife, in an elevator.

Rice was initially suspended two games for the incident.

But when the video was made public, the Ravens released him, and the NFL announced he would be suspended indefinitely. He never played another snap in the NFL.

Exactly 10 years to the day since his final game, the team announced Friday that Rice will be honored as the organization's "Legend of the Game" this weekend.

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Running back Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens is introduced before a preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at M&T Bank Stadium Aug. 7, 2014, in Baltimore.   (Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Ryan Mink, the editorial director for baltimoreravens.com, said Rice "is being recognized for the player he was, and for the redemption he has worked towards."

"I truly understand why I was let go and why so many hearts changed," Rice told the team's website. "But hopefully people can see where I'm at now. They say people can change, right? I am not the same person I was 10-12 years ago. That's just not who I am.

"Every time I stepped on the field, I gave it my all. But I couldn't say the same for life. Now I'm trying to be the best version of me."

Rice quickly became one of the most productive backs in the NFL after serving in a backup role his rookie season. From 2009 to 2012, he gained 5,066 yards on 1,109 carries (4.6 yards per carry) while finding the end zone 39 times (33 rushing, six receiving) and winning the 2013 Super Bowl. 

A fourth and 29 catch-and-run during his career gave birth to