Janay Rice tells her story to ESPN's Jemele Hill

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Ray Rice’s Wife Janay Rice Tells ESPN Her Side Of Domestic Abuse Incident

It’s safe to say that this past year has probably been the worst of Janay Rice’s life. The story and accompanying video of her now-husband, Ray Rice, punching her unconscious inside an Atlantic City elevator became one of the biggest and most emotionally-charged stories of the year.

After numerous tweets, Facebook rants, and Instagram posts, Janay sits down with ESPN’s Jemele Hill to detail her relationship with Ray and what went down that fateful night.

Via ESPN

Editor’s Note: This is Janay Rice’s story, as told to ESPN’s Jemele Hill. On Wednesday, Nov. 5, Jemele interviewed Janay for three hours at the home of Janet Rice, Ray Rice’s mother, in their hometown of New Rochelle, New York. Ray Rice was not present. Janay’s account of what happened in Atlantic City, and in the months that followed, was written from Jemele’s extensive interview, as well as a phone follow-up. No questions were off limits. Janay Rice was given approval over its content and release date.

There was something different about that day. The two of us were just off, starting that morning. I was annoyed because it was Valentine’s Day and Ray and one of his friends had planned a group trip to Atlantic City, while I had wanted to do something with just the two of us.

I was going to surprise Ray at the hotel with a couples massage, but the manager spoiled the surprise by calling Ray to confirm the time, instead of checking with me. From that moment on I was annoyed with everything, but I continued to act as if I was fine. We weren’t even in Atlantic City yet and nothing seemed to be going right.

After a silent, three-hour car ride we arrived at the hotel, where everything seemed to be much better. There were two other couples hanging out with us — Ray’s brother and his girlfriend, plus another couple we’d become close to in Baltimore. All of us went to dinner, and then met up again later at the club inside of the Revel Casino. We were drinking and having a good time. The six of us shared two to three bottles of liquor, which we also shared with a few fans who came up to us.

After the club, our friends from Baltimore, Ray and I decided to go to the late-night restaurant in the casino. Ray and I were bickering. We were drunk and tired and while I know that some people may find it hard to believe, none of the six of us can remember exactly what Ray and I were arguing about. It was that insignificant.

As we were arguing, he was on his phone and not looking at me. I went to reach for his phone, and when he grabbed it back, he spit at me and I slapped him.

We got into the elevator and what happened inside is still foggy to me. The only thing I know — and I can’t even say I “remember” because I only know from what Ray has told me — is that I slapped him again and then he hit me. I remember nothing else from inside the elevator.

The next thing I do recall is being in the casino lobby, surrounded by cops.

The police separated us and arrested us. They told me they had the entire incident on video. I was bawling. The cops tried to tell me what happened and I refused to believe them. If anything, I just felt like I was still drunk. I said to one officer, “That’s not us. What do you mean?” There were no marks on my face or body, and I felt perfectly fine. I was in complete shock.

They took Ray and I to the police station, where they held us together in the same room, but they kept us far enough apart so that they could talk to us separately. Eventually, we were left alone and Ray kept saying, “It’s going to be OK. We’ll be OK.” He just kept crying and apologizing, but I didn’t really want to speak to him.

We were at the police station for about six hours. Our Baltimore friends waited patiently as the police questioned us, and then drove us back home. I didn’t want to talk because we weren’t in the car alone. While in the car Ray called his manager; the Ravens security director, Darren Sanders; and his mom.

We stongly encourage everyone who has clicked on this story to read the essay in it’s entirety HERE.

If you are one who continues to ask “Why the hell did she STILL marry him?!” perhaps it will give you some insight. If you are one who wants Ray Rice locked in a prison for the rest of his life, perhaps you change your mind.

Flip the page to see a preview of Ray and Janay’s interview with NBC’s Matt Lauer.

Image via Andrew Cutraro/ESPN