Ray Rice: Sexual assault is an epidemic
NFL free agent Ray Rice called sexual assault on college campuses an "epidemic" at the Big 12 Conference's “State of College Athletics” forum, according to USA Today's Scott Gleeson.
“If someone witnessed a rape,” Rice said, according to USA Today. “That team has to be unified not just in the locker room. It's society, too. You can't just say, 'that's my teammate having a good time.' Because a lot of guys forget who they are once they're out of the locker room.”
Rice suggested that players should police themselves outside of the locker room.
Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby added an estimate that “over 90% of the sexual assaults on campus are not even reported. That does nothing but perpetuate an awful situation.” He noted that not just players but "everyone” is accountable.
Earlier in the year, a widespread sexual assault scandal involving numerous members of the Baylor football team was uncovered. Head coach Art Briles was fired, athletic director Ian McCaw resigned and university president Ken Starr was demoted.
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Rice hasn't played in the NFL since 2013, after a video surfaced of him punching his then-fiancee in a hotel elevator. In May 2015, a judge dismissed domestic violence charges against Rice
Watch Rice's comments below:
Rice played college football at Rutgers before spending six seasons and making three Pro Bowl teams in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens. Rice, 29, has said he remains optimistic about returning to the NFL.
