Former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice is "optimistic" he will be given a second chance in the NFL following a year out of the game due to his assault case scandal.
The 28-year-old was released by the Ravens and suspended indefinitely by the NFL after evidence emerged displaying the violence of his assault on his wife – then-fiancee – Janay Palmer in a lift of an Atlantic City Hotel.
Rice's suspension was overturned on appeal, allowing him to become a free agent, and he is hopeful that he will be given the chance to rekindle his NFL career in the 2015 season.
"I'm optimistic that I'll get a second chance," Rice told the Baltimore Sun. "I don't think this boils down to whether I can play football or not. Obviously I know that. I just think there's so much more that comes with it. I know the PR side of it will be tough.
"I understand that. I just know that if a team that really truly genuinely looks at me and understood that this guy made a horrible mistake then they can structure a plan for me.
"I don't like to be singled out, I like to be part of the team, if they can understand that I'll do anything to help the situation and go out and give them the best football I got, I think I'll get a second chance."
Rice has recorded 6,180 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns in his six seasons in the NFL.
Simon Sinclair
