Ray Rice's wife spoke out Monday about the infamous punch in a casino elevator as both fans and critics debate over whether the New Rochelle native should be allowed to play football again.

Janay Rice spoke with Matt Lauer on the "Today" show and described how she felt immediately after the blow that knocked her unconscious. "I was furious, we came home and we didn't talk the whole ride home. I didn't speak to him. He tried to talk to me, I didn't want to hear anything."

Initially angry after being hit in the face by her then-fiancé in a casino elevator, Janay Rice is standing by her man, speaking out in his defense, and saying that everyone makes mistakes. She says she's forgiven her husband, and she hopes everyone else will, as well. "Of course, in the back of my mind and in my heart, I knew that our relationship wouldn't be over. I knew that this isn't us and it's not him."

Janay Rice says Ray has never hit her before, and she adds that they were both "highly intoxicated." She adds that there have been no further acts of violence since the incident.

The couple has a 2-year-old daughter, and she hopes the NFL will look past the incident.