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Strong reactions to Rice video, player’s release

FILE - In this Aug. 7, 2014, file photo, Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice sits on the sideline in the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Baltimore. The Ravens have cut Ray Rice. Hours after the release of a video that appears to show Rice striking his then-fiancee in February, the team terminated his contract Monday, Sept. 8, 2014. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File) FILE - In this Aug. 7, 2014, file photo, Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice sits on the sideline in the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Baltimore. The Ravens have cut Ray Rice. Hours after the release of a video that appears to show Rice striking his then-fiancee in February, the team terminated his contract Monday, Sept. 8, 2014. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

By Associated Press September 8, 2014 1 min read

Even NFL players who rarely criticize each other publicly made their feelings clear Monday on Ray Rice through social media and in interviews.

Reaction was swift and powerful to the release of a video showing the Baltimore running back striking his then-fiancee, and the Ravens subsequently releasing him.

Said Saints tackle Zach Strief: “I don’t know Ray Rice, but I know that video is disturbing. It’s tough to see and it’s unacceptable. … It’s upsetting.”

Added Steelers cornerback William Gay: “We’re talking about a life, I don’t care about a sport when it comes down to domestic violence. This is real.”

Gay says the league needs to “come together and help Ray Rice or anyone that’s in that situation.”

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