Running Back Kareem Hunt was released by the Chiefs on Friday after video surfaced from earlier this year where he was involved assaulting a woman. TMZ said that the woman originally called Hunt the n-word and tried to assault a female friend of his after she was kicked out of his hotel room. He has since apologized and tried to clear his name in an interview on NFL Live today.
Ray Rice used to be a star running back in the NFL as well and his career was cut short due to a domestic dispute that resulted in him assaulting his wife. While these two incidents have some similarities but are very very different, Rice is offering his take on the situation and to help Hunt out, in a new interview with NFL.com.
“Peer-to-peer, I would definitely try to help him figure out, ‘How can we start dealing with the underlying problems in your life?” said Rice. “Because he has a long life to live, this will be a defining moment, but it shouldn’t be the moment that defines you. For me, I just see you have a long life to live and that doesn’t mean just playing football — you need to just live one day at a time.”
Rice also wonders if anyone was present with Hunt to advise him not to escalate the situation and to let him know what he’d risk.
“And honestly, while I don’t know if alcohol or any substances were involved, I know those things can often play a role. I am not blaming anyone who was with him, but I wish someone that was with him, if he’s not in his right mind … would’ve said to him, ‘Look at the situation. Is it worth risking it all for a split-second decision — for something you know you can get out of?'”
People will try to criticize Rice for this but it’s great in the sense that someone who went through the same type of criticism can help someone else who’s going through that adversity as well. Hopefully they meet soon to discuss the situation and put Hunt in a better place.
