Ravens' John Harbaugh proud of Ray Rice

With Ray Rice poised to address the media Thursday regarding his two-game suspension, which stems from a February arrest for the alleged assault of his wife (then fiancee) Jenay Palmer, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh continues to show unwaivering support for his embattled star running back.

"I hate what happened. What happened was wrong. Flat out," Harbaugh told reporters on Wednesday, via ESPN. "The thing I appreciate about it is how Ray has handled it afterward by acknowledging it was wrong and he'll do everything he can do to make it right. That's what you ask for when someone does a wrong thing. So, I'm proud of him for that."

The NFL has been the subject of widespread criticism as a result of Rice's lenient suspension. Harbaugh, for his part, wasn't about to question the fairness of the three-time Pro Bowler's  two-game ban.

"Those that make those decisions do so with great seriousness," Harbaugh said. "They aim to be just and fair. They aim to do right by all parties involved. Public opinion will often push those decisions in certain directions. But both of those decision makers -- not the opinion makers, but the decision makers -- who know all the knowable facts of the case came from the same direction on it. So, we said all along that the circumstances will then determine the outcome of this and we said all along that we will respect the outcome. That's going to be tough for us. That's going to be two games without one of our very best players. But we'll move forward and deal with it."

Harbaugh was clear about his commitment to serve as a proper mentor to Rice as he continues to wade through adversity.

"I'm there for Ray as a friend and I also think an older male figure in his life and try to give him advice and wisdom," Harbaugh said. "And just be there for him. A friend is born from adversity. That's what it is really about with Ray. I love the way he's handled it."