My Ray Rice Prediction

By now, we've all seen the shocking video of former Baltimore Ravens star Ray Rice viciously sucker punching his fiance in an elevator.  And even though they were right to cut him and suspend him, the NFL deserves blame for turning a blind eye to the issue of domestic violence for far to long.  However, Ray Rice will be back.

We live in a society that coddles athletes at an early age.  Ray Rice has probably been treated like a star since he was a kid.  And, until then, he probably thought that the rules didn't apply to him.  And some of them probably didn't.

As much as we love to create heroes, we also love to turn on our heroes and cast them out as social pariahs.  But inevitably, we can forgive celebrities, as long as they are apologetic and can still perform.  Michael Vick is the classic example.  Nobody thought that guy would ever be welcomed back into the NFL.  He's now playing for his third different team since returning to the league.

If Michael Vick can come back, so will Ray Rice.  Here's how I predict it will happen.  One year from now, Ray and Janay Rice appear holding hands on an Oprah special, crying and discussing the therapy they've been through, and how Tony Dungy's mentoring showed him the way. Team X GM discusses what an amazing and courageous person he is. Team X gives him one-year $1.6 million.  Fans of Team X's rivals will complain on Facebook.  Team X's fans will welcome Rice back with open arms.  If Rice can help Team X win games, all will be forgiven.

That's the American way.  We build 'em up, tear 'em down and eventually forgive 'em.