White House reacts to Ravens firing Rice

Stopping domestic violence is an effort “that’s bigger than football,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest said Monday after discussing with President Obama the news that the Baltimore Ravens cut running back Ray Rice over such an incident.

“The President is the father of two daughters,” Earnest said in a statement issued late Monday night. “And like any American, he believes that domestic violence is contemptible and unacceptable in a civilized society. Hitting a woman is not something a real man does, and that’s true whether or not an act of violence happens in the public eye, or, far too often, behind closed doors.”

{mosads}The press secretary went on to say that “all of us have a responsibility to put a stop” to domestic violence.

A White House official said the unusual after-hours statement from the press secretary came following a discussion Monday evening between Earnest and Obama about the news that the Ravens had terminated Rice’s contract. Rice had punched his then-fiance in a Feb. 15 incident in an Atlantic City elevator and received a two-game suspension from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. But when video of the incident emerged today, the Ravens cut Rice. The press secretary was asked repeatedly about the story during Monday’s press briefing, as news that the Ravens had made the move was breaking.

At the time, Earnest declined to comment specifically on the Rice incident, but said the White House welcomes “any strong signals by anybody in this country” looking to combat domestic violence. 

“You have seen the president and vice president make very forceful comments about how important it is for men, in particular, to step up and step forward,” Earnest said, adding that violence against women “is not and cannot be tolerated.”

Vice President Biden is slated to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act on Tuesday.

Before news that the Ravens had terminated Rice’s contract broke, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) called for a stronger penalty.

“The video released today emphasizes how egregiously weak and wrong the initial penalty against Ray Rice was — as the commissioner has acknowledged — and it constitutes new, powerful evidence that requires the commissioner to reconsider and reach a stronger punishment,” Blumenthal said in a statement.