Raymell "Ray" Rice (born January 22, 1987 in ) is an American football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Ravens in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Rutgers.

Early years

Rice has had to deal with tragedy and adversity from a young age. When Rice was only a year old, his father was killed in a drive-by shooting.. Ray's uncle helped to raise him before dying in a car accident in 1998 due to a drunk driver. Ray's mother Janet raised her four children with only one income from her job as a special education teacher.

Rice was the primary running back at New Rochelle High School, playing alongside future Rutgers teammates Courtney Greene and Glen Lee. His sophomore and junior seasons saw him take the primary duties, but he became the feature back his senior year.

In his junior year, he helped lead NRHS to a New York state championship, and he took the team to the finals his senior year, playing against Duke guard and Syracuse quarterback Greg Paulus in the state championship game.

College career

Before attending Rutgers, Rice had initially committed to Syracuse University; he switched his commitment to the Scarlet Knights following the firing of Syracuse head coach Paul Pasqualoni in 2005.

Rice, affectionately known as Ray-Ray or Ray Baby, attended Rutgers University. In 2005 (Rice's freshman year), Rutgers had its first winning season in 14 years and played in only the second bowl in the football program's then 136 year history. In 2006, the Scarlet Knights won a school record-tying 11 games and registered the school's highest ever season-ending national poll ranking, finishing at #12 in both the Associated Press and Coach's Polls.

As a true freshman Rice finished the season as the starting tailback for Rutgers. Rice rushed for 1120 yards and 5 TDs during his freshman campaign, including a 217-yard performance against the University of Connecticut.

Rice gained 1,794 rushing yards in 2006 with 20 touchdowns. His total in 2006 set Rutgers' single-season rushing yardage record, shattering J. J. Jennings' mark of 1,353 set in 1973. Rice's backfield partner during his freshman and sophomore seasons was fullback Brian Leonard. Leonard considered entering the NFL Draft in 2006 but stayed for his senior year and took on a less prominent role in the offense which aided Rice's rise to stardom. Rice was also a finalist for the Maxwell Award and finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting. Rice was named Big East offensive player of the week a school-record three times in 2006. All three times, Rice rushed for over 200 yards, including a career high 225 yard game against the Pittsburgh Panthers. Rice ended his sophomore season with 170 yards on 24 carries with 1 touchdown during the inaugural Texas Bowl to give Rutgers its first bowl victory ever in a 37-10 win. He was named MVP of the game.

Rice was widely considered a candidate for both the Maxwell Award and Heisman Trophy in 2007.

On October 6, 2007 against the Cincinnati Bearcats, Rice scored his 35th career rushing touchdown, setting the all time program record.

On November 9, 2007 against the Army Black Knights, Rice ran for 243 yards and scored twice in the 41-6 win against Army, setting a new school record previously set by Terrell Willis in 1994, and his new single game record.

On January 5, 2008, at the second annual International Bowl in Toronto, Rice ran for a new school record of 280 yards, along with 4 touchdowns as Rutgers beat Ball State University 52-30. One of the TD runs was the longest of his career—a 90-yard scamper. Rice won the MVP award for his performance.

On January 8, 2008, Rice declared his intention to enter the 2008 NFL draft.

Professional career

Baltimore Ravens

Rice was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round (55th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft. Rice has signed a 4-year deal with the Ravens worth $2.805 million plus a $1.1 million signing bonus.

Wore number #39 during the preseason then switched to #27 (his number at Rutgers), after the Ravens cut Cornerback Ronnie Prude.

2008 season

Rice made his first start in his first NFL game (Week 1 of the 2008 season against the Bengals). Rice had a team-high 22 carries which was good for 64 yards, fumbling once. Rice also had three receptions for 19 yards, in the Ravens 17–10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Rice had his best game of the season in Week 9 against the Cleveland Browns where he ran for 154 yards on 21 carries. Rice finished out the season with 454 rushing yards on 107 carries and had 273 receiving yards on 33 receptions.

2009 season

It was announced during training camp that Rice won the starting running back job over Willis McGahee for the 2009 NFL season, and that Le'Ron McClain would be switching back to full time full back duties.

In the season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, Rice rushed for 108-yards off of 19 carries, which was his second career 100-yard rushing game.In week 3, Rice rushed for his first pro touchdown against the Cleveland Browns.

On October 11, 2009, he returned his first reception for touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals.

On October 18, 2009, (Week 6) Rice led his team in both rushing and receiving yards against the Minnesota Vikings. He rushed for 77-yards off 10 carries, scoring 2 touchdowns. He also caught 10 passes for 117-yards.

References

1. Rutgers' BCS hopes fueled by Rice - AthlonSports.com
2. Rutgers’s Ray Rice Is Also Special Off the Field - New York Times
3. RB Leonard carries one chance at two dreams
4. Rice gains 170 yards rushing in Rutgers' first bowl win
5. Single Game Rush Record
6. Rice Declares for 2008 NFL Draft

External links

• Baltimore Ravens bio
• Yahoo Sports