Ravens running back Ray Rice is offering his support to embattled Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti in wake of the firing of men’s basketball coach Mike Rice earlier this week.
Many have called for the removal of top university administrators for failing to remove Rice despite video evidence of the coach’s behavior during practice, which included pushing players, throwing basketballs at them, and berating them with gay slurs. More than 50 Rutgers faculty members reportedly signed a letter asking for the termination of Pernetti and an explanation from president Robert Barchi on why he didn’t fire Rice when learning of the video displaying his conduct.
However, the Pro Bowl running back along with other former Rutgers standouts are showing their support for Pernetti. Rice has cited in interviews that the athletic director even encouraged him to graduate at the school’s recent pro day for NFL prospects.
“Big 10 doesn’t happen without Mr. Pernetti,” Rice wrote on his official Twitter account. “He has done a GREAT job for RU, our future is bright with him leading us.”
Rice also endorsed a tweet posted by former Rutgers and NFL offensive lineman Shaun O’Hara calling for football alumni to stand up for Pernetti.
Many of Pernetti’s supporters acknowledge he made a mistake in handling the former basketball coach’s employment but do not think it should result in his termination, citing his excellent body of work at the university.
Pro Bowl RB Rice offers support to embattled Rutgers AD Pernetti
Luke Jones
Luke Jones is the Ravens and Orioles beat reporter for WNST BaltimorePositive.com and is a PFWA member. His mind is consumed with useless sports knowledge, pro wrestling promos, and movie quotes, but he often forgets where he put his phone. Luke's favorite sports memories include being one of the thousands of kids who waited for Cal Ripken's autograph after Orioles games in the summer of 1995, attending the Super Bowl XXXV victory parade with his dad in the pouring rain, and watching the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002. Follow him on social media @BaltimoreLuke or email him at Luke@wnst.net.
Paid Advertisement
Podcast Audio Vault
Paid Advertisement
Share the Post:
Paid Advertisement
Right Now in Baltimore
Raising standard on the path to sobriety and wellness for those battling addiction at Hygea
Robby Stempler, local founder of Hygea Healthcare, shared his journey from addiction to recovery and his mission to combat substance abuse in Baltimore. Struggling with Vicodin addiction a decade ago, he saw the need for better comprehensive addiction treatment and…
My good walk of deep admiration and sportswriting on the brink with John Feinstein
John Feinstein and I had an awkwardly weird and beautiful friendship that had been strengthened by deep conversation and mutual respect over the last two decades since we somehow found ourselves in Brian Billick’s coaching office after games in stadia…
Swinging for the fence after they moved the wall in
With baseball season ready to pitch into the fun, John Martin of RThe Maryland Lottery gets Nestor ready for Home Run Riches and 162 games where local folks will be swinging for the fences and hoping for more grand slams.
Paid Advertisement
