NFL player Ray Rice promises to give money to domestic violence charities if he is re-signed

He has been out of action since September 2014 after a video emerged of him punching his partner in the head

Ray Rice had the aggravated assault charge dropped after he attended an educational program

(Getty Images)

Former football player Ray Rice has promised to donate every cent he earns to domestic violence charities if he is re-signed.

The National Football League player was cut loose in September 2014 after a video emerged of him punching his former fiancé in the head as they were riding up a Atlantic City hotel elevator.

The single punch knocked her out. He then dragged her, unconscious, out of the elevator.

The former Ravens running back has since described domestic violence as an “epidemic” and said his “situation” helped to “raise awareness” about the cause.

“I’m not thankful for being that guy, but I’m thankful for the people that now are not afraid to ask for help, because I had to go get the help myself after to realize the severity of what domestic violence is,” he said.

Mr Rice promised to donate his entire salary in 2016 to organizations and programs that focus on education and prevention of domestic violence and work that supports survivors and their families, according to USA Today.

He said the gesture was not “to get back on the field” but rather to “show where his heart is”.

“Me donating my salary is something that’ll be from the heart for me. I only want to play football so I can end it the right way for my kids and for the people that really believed in me. But I know there’s a lot of people affected by domestic violence, and every dollar helps. It’s raising awareness,” he said.

Mr Rice is financially secure, as his first NFL contract paid $25 million over the first two years.

He would reportedly earn a fraction of that sum if he is re-signed. But as training camps begin next week, he remains unemployed.

The former NFL player has reportedly been visiting colleges in his hometown of Stamford, Connecticut, to warn up and coming players about domestic violence.

After the assault of his now wife, he took part in a so-called pre-trial diversion program. The assault charge was then dropped against him.

Mr Rice married Janay Rice, 28, the day after he was indicted for aggravated assault in 2014, after a seven-year relationship and a two-year engagement.

They have a four-year-old daughter called Rayven and a second child is due in September.

NFL declined to comment to The Independent.