Updated at 9.30pm
“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.”
They were the words of Janay Rice on her Instagram account this morning as the wife of Ray Rice spoke publicly for the first time since her husband was sacked by the Baltimore Ravens and suspended indefinitely by the NFL.
The statement – verified as authentic by the Baltimore Sun - follows the release of a video showing the former Ravens running back punching his then fiancée twice, knocking her unconscious before dragging her from an elevator of the Revel Casino in Atlantic City.
Rice was initially suspended for two games for the attack but was released by the Ravens last night following negative publicity in the wake of the new video.
It is not the first time Janay Rice has commented publicly on the attack after apologising for her role via the Baltimore Ravens Twitter account in May this year.
Rice himself has also spoken out about his release and suspension, telling ESPN:
“”I have to be strong for my wife. She is so strong,” he said.
“We are in good spirits. We have a lot of people praying for us and we will continue to support each other.
“I have to be there for (Janay) and my family right now and work through this.”
