National Football League

Janay Rice posts response on Instagram to husband's release

Published Sep. 9, 2014 9:42 a.m. ET

foxsports

Ray Rice's wife posted a response on her Instagram account Tuesday regarding her husband's release from the Baltimore Ravens and the NFL's indefinite suspension when a video surfaced showing the former All-Pro running back hitting her in a hotel elevator.

"I woke up this morning feeling like I had a horrible nightmare, feeling like I'm mourning the death of my closest friend," Janay Rice wrote. "But to have to accept the fact that it's reality is a nightmare in itself. No one knows the pain that the media & unwanted options from the public has caused my family. To make us relive a moment in our lives that we regret every day is a horrible thing. To take something away from the man I love that he has worked his ass off for all his life just to gain ratings is horrific.

"THIS IS OUR LIFE! What don't you all get. If your intentions were to hurt us, embarrass us, make us feel alone, take all happiness away, you've succeeded on so many levels. Just know we will continue to grow & show the world what real love is! Ravensnation we love you!"

The grainy video, released by TMZ Sports, shows Rice and his then-fiancee Janay Palmer in an elevator at an Atlantic City casino. Each hits the other before Rice knocks Palmer off her feet and into a railing. Months ago, a TMZ video showed Rice dragging Palmer, now his wife, from the elevator at the Revel casino, which closed Sept. 2.

Rice was originally suspended two games by the league and would have been eligible to return to the team after the Ravens' game against the Steelers on Thursday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.