Watch CBS News

Is Ray Rice Really Worth The Risk?

Ray Rice is trying to make his comeback to the NFL this season.

As we all know, Rice was involved in a domestic violence case last year with his, then, fiancee.

The video which came out showing Rice punching his fiancee in an elevator led to the Baltimore Ravens running back missing the rest of the season due to suspension and eventually released from the team.

Rice is hopeful that a team will take a chance on the 28-year-old running back this season.

The question isn't about his ability to play the game. Although 28 years old is on the latter end of a running back's prime, his ability won't determine whether or not a team will sign him.

The biggest hurdle Rice and the team which signs him will have to face is what the public thinks of him and the organization.

The issue for whichever team takes a chance, if a team actually does, is what kind of scrutiny the organization will face for signing the guy who much of the nation turned on after the video was released.

The question: is it worth it for the team?

No. No way. Not a chance.

Why would a team take a chance on this guy anyways?

The amount of distractions that would surround Rice and the team would be far too much to make signing him worth it.

Rice, the organization, and most importantly, his teammates, would have to answer a countless number of questions about the situation.

If Rice was still in his prime, it might make the distractions worth it, but to bring in a guy who, at this point in his career, would be a back up at best, it's just not worth the drama.

Whether you think he deserves a shot with an NFL team is not the point. We all know what he did was disgusting, he paid his punishment, and now he is trying to make his comeback.

As of right now, it doesn't seem like there is a team reaching out to the former Pro Bowl running back.

However, when the season begins, teams will be confronted with injuries, among other issues, and a team or two may just call Rice for his services.

It's a bad idea.

There's no need for a team to get involved with Rice. He is not worth the drama.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.