Ray Rice video: Fiancee Janay defends disgraced NFL player, after viral domestic violence footage

'I woke up this morning feeling like I had a horrible nightmare,' she posted via Instagram. 'Feeling like I’m mourning the death of my closest friend'

Janay and Ray Rice attend a press conference in May 2014

The US public were so shocked upon seeing video footage of NFL player Ray Rice knocking his then-fiancée unconscious in a lift, the White House issued an official statement, in which Obama declared his actions were not that of a "real man".

But the victim of the attack, Rice’s wife Janay, has since defended his actions after he was fired by the Baltimore Ravens.

"I woke up this morning feeling like I had a horrible nightmare," she posted via her Instagram page. "Feeling like I’m mourning the death of my closest friend.

"But to have to accept the fact that it’s reality is a nightmare in itself. No one knows the pain that the hate media and unwanted options from the public has caused my family.

"To make us relive a moment in our lives that we regret every day is a horrible thing.

"To take something away from the man I love that he has worked his ass of for all his life just to gain ratings is horrific.

"THIS IS OUR LIFE![sic] What don’t you all get. If your intentions were to hurt us, embarrass us, make us feel alone, take all happiness away, you’ve succeeded on so many levels.

"Just know we will continue to grow and show the world what real love is! Ravensnation we love you!"

Her statement comes Fox & Friends co-anchor Brian Kilmeade was criticised for giving somewhat flippant advice to Janay after her lift attack: "Take the stairs."

Rice was sacked following the publication of the footage by TMZ, with the NFL side confirming they terminated his contract with immediate effect.

The NFL had previously given Rice a two-match suspension for the incident before the video surfaced.