49ers play-by-play person Ted Robinson is caught in a controversy after he made an offensive comment towards Janay Rice earlier this week. Janay is the wife or Ray Rice who is recently suspended indefinitely by the NFL right after videos of him hitting his wife emerged in the internet.
Rice was arrested following February 15 where he struck his ex fiancée Janay Palmer in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The six year veteran has been accepted into a diversion program. When the program is completed, there is a possibility that Rice's charges will be obliterated.
The San Francisco 49ers have suspended radio play-by-play person Ted Robinson 2 games for his comments. According to sources, Robinson was putting some of the blame on Janay over the domestic violence case after she still returned to Rice after the incident.
Both Robinson and 49ers President Paraag Marathe released separate statement on the matter.
According to Ted Robinson statement:
"I want to unconditionally apologize for my comments the other day. As a professional communicator, I am responsible for my words. My choice of words was careless and does not reflect my true feelings about domestic violence. I understand that the cycle of abuse keeps people in unhealthy relationships. No blame or responsibility for domestic violence should ever be placed on a victim."
White 49ers President Paraag Marathe statement says:
"The comments made by radio broadcaster Ted Robinson on Monday were offensive and in no way reflect the views of the San Francisco 49ers organization. We have made the decision to suspend him for the next two games. I informed Ted of our decision earlier today, and we will continue to address this matter with him internally. Our organization stands strongly against domestic violence and will not tolerate comments such as these."
On the other hand, Last Monday afternoon, The Baltimore released a one liner statement saying "The Baltimore Ravens terminated the contract of RB Ray Rice this afternoon."
Coach John Harbaugh said he met with Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti, team president Dick Cass and general manager Ozzie Newsome after they saw the video, and they made the decision to let Rice go.
