High school removes Ray Rice jersey

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Thursday, September 11, 2014

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. -- Ray Rice's suburban New York high school has removed his NFL jersey from its wall of fame.

The Journal News reported that New Rochelle High School also removed a placard honoring Rice from a hallway.

The Baltimore Ravens released Rice and the NFL suspended him indefinitely on Monday after video surfaced of him hitting his then-fiance in a casino elevator.

New Rochelle students say Rice has been generous with his time and money, as he has donated uniforms and equipment and has returned to his old school to speak with students.

"When you put people up on a wall of fame, it's an inspiration to the kids in the school," school athletic director Steve Young told the Journal News. "It becomes a teachable moment for the kids that, when something like that happens, there's a consequence."

The school, however, did keep Rice's No. 5 high school jersey on the gym wall.

"First, Mr. Rice's Wall of Fame photograph at NRHS has been removed and his Baltimore Ravens jersey taken down; the purpose of our wall of fame is to honor the individuals included and present them as role models to inspire our students," principal Reggie Richardson wrote in a letter to parents, according to the Journal News. "Second, Mr. Rice's retired #5 jersey will remain retired. The jersey was retired in recognition of Mr. Rice's athletic accomplishments -- accomplishments that have not changed."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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