Ray Rice's former New Rochelle youth coach stands by his side after beating video

While former Baltimore Ravens player Ray Rice is facing intense criticism after the release of a video showing him hitting his then-fiancée, some people in his hometown of New Rochelle are standing by

News 12 Staff

Sep 10, 2014, 5:04 PM

Updated 3,687 days ago

Share:

While former Baltimore Ravens player Ray Rice is facing intense criticism after the release of a video showing him hitting his then-fiancée, some people in his hometown of New Rochelle are standing by his side.
He's given not only of his time but of his money--all of those kinds of things," says Joe Fosina, the president of the Youth Tackle organization and Rice's former youth football coach. "He made one mistake. I don't know anybody who hasn't made one mistake."
Long before Rice was a Super Bowl champion, Fosina coached and mentored him during his New Rochelle childhood. In turn, Rice has given back to the community, which has annually held a Ray Rice Day.
Now Rice's career is on hold after TMZ on Monday released a video showing Rice striking then-fiancée Janay Palmer, whom he later married. She hits her head on a railing and is knocked unconscious.
The video sparked an outcry across the country, prompting the Ravens to release Rice and the NFL to ban him.
Still, Fosina isn't rushing to judgment. "This league as a whole, both its staff and coaches, are solid behind Ray," says Fosina.