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Ray Rice, wife apologize for alleged assault, promise to be better role models

Kevin Hoffman / Reuters

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice addressed the media alongside wife Janay Palmer on Friday. Rice issued a lengthy statement about a February incident in which he allegedly knocked then-fiancee Palmer unconscious at an Atlantic City casino. 

Rice apologized to both the Ravens and his fans before saying he wants the world to see what counseling has done for his relationship with Palmer.

"Sometimes in life you will fail, but I won't call myself a failure," Rice said before pausing to look down at his notes.

Then, in what could be considered a very poor choice of words, he said this: "Failure is not getting knocked down. It's not getting up."

Palmer spoke briefly, saying she regrets her part in the incident.

Both parties promised to be better role models in the future.

Rice and Palmer did not take questions.

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