FOI: Pure Class, UGa gives speaking fee to Ray Rice, an inspiration to players

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/JasonHButt/status/807332358122827776

Georgia athletics department paid $1,000 out of its football budget to host former NFL running back Ray Rice for a speaking engagement, according to a document provided by the school via the state's Open Records Act.

Rice spoke to Georgia's football team on Monday, July 25 at 6 p.m. about the rise and fall of his football career. Rice was once of the NFL's bigger stars as a running back for the Baltimore Ravens. But Rice was caught on a camera striking his [good?] wife Janay Rice, who was then his fiancée, in a New Jersey casino elevator.

After initially being given a two-game suspension from the NFL prior to the start of the 2014 season, the video's revelation led the Ravens to release Rice from the franchise. Rice has not played an NFL game since.

"We're trying to use every education piece we can with our players," Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said.

Book Ray Rice for your athletic program or holiday party