Steve Bisciotti's Comments from Press Conference on Ray Rice Investigation

Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti addressed the media Monday in a press conference to discuss a recent ESPN report containing explosive allegations about the franchise's handling of the domestic violence incident involving its former running back, Ray Rice.     

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network documented a key portion of one Bisciotti answer, explaining to a degree what prompted the presser:

Don Van Natta Jr. and Kevin Van Valkenburg of ESPN's Outside the Lines reported Friday that the Ravens and the league went to great lengths to cover up Rice's February assault of his fiancee, now wife, Janay Palmer.

The Ravens released an official statement regarding the article thereafter.

"The ESPN.com Outside the Lines article contains numerous errors, inaccuracies, false assumptions and, perhaps, misunderstandings," read the statement. "The Ravens will address all of these next week in Baltimore after our trip to Cleveland for Sunday's game against the Browns."

Bisciotti weighed in on some of the sources ESPN reached out to in its story, via NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala:

Also on Monday, a more detailed breakdown from BaltimoreRavens.com outlined all the elements of the ESPN article that were allegedly inaccurate.

The Big Lead's Jason McIntyre offered his take on the Ravens' response:

Fifteen excerpts from the article were chosen and addressed by either Ravens director of security Darren Sanders, coach John Harbaugh, general manager Ozzie Newsome, president Dick Cass or Bisciotti.

Van Valkenburg took to Twitter to defend the ESPN report's veracity:

Rice, whose Ravens contract was terminated, is appealing his indefinite NFL suspension, reportedly arguing that the graphic elevator footage released by TMZ Sports was a "condensed" version of what transpired in Atlantic City in February.

Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun highlighted what Bisciotti had to say about the organization having any prior knowledge of the Rice videotape before taking action:

Bisciotti wondered how the league couldn't have had access to the tape, via Will Brinson of CBSSports.com:

Bisciotti did admit that the resources were available to look deeper into the situation at first but justified the team's course of action, via Albert Breer of NFL Network:

Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com documented what Bisciotti had to say about the contrast in punishment between Rice and Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson amid child abuse allegations:

Bisciotti did fall in line with the general consensus on Rice's rather light initial banishment, via CBS Sports' Eye on Football:

An investigation, conducted by former FBI director Robert S. Mueller III, is being overseen by Pittsburgh Steelers co-owner Art Rooney and New York Giants owner John Mara. Both are close with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who's had to deal with the fallout of the Rice scandal.

Bisciotti addressed the investigation, too:

As for what the aftermath of this unfortunate saga means for anyone at Ravens headquarters, Bisciotti implied that no one is at fault for what was a collective letdown, via Fox Sports NFL:

Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times tweeted a quote that encompassed how Bisciotti felt amid intense questioning and his impassioned responses:

"

Steve Bisciotti: “When your integrity’s questioned, it’s pretty humbling.”

— Sam Farmer (@LATimesfarmer) September 22, 2014"

Bisciotti said he bears no ill will toward Rice, but he did go on to say the Pro Bowler will never play for Baltimore again:

"

Bisciotti says he forgives Ray Rice: "What his lawyer is forcing him to do to prepare for (reinstatement), I will not hold against him."

— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) September 22, 2014"

Letting Rice go right away was something Bisciotti wasn't prepared to do from the start, as he revealed in what was an extremely transparent answer:

Bisciotti said that if he were forced to sell the team, he would, via ProFootballTalk.com:

The owner didn't dismiss the possibility of future associations with Rice, via Andrew Siciliano of NFL Network:

Bisciotti made an interesting point in implying the league should have imposed harsher penalties for domestic violence in the first place:

Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post seemed incensed by what's been unfolding in the NFL off the field:

"

So many of these statements the past four days show you just how incredibly stupid Roger Goodell and NFL owners think we all are.

— Bart Hubbuch (@HubbuchNYP) September 22, 2014"

Goodell spoke with the media Friday but was largely criticized for not bringing forth any tangible, immediate solutions to address domestic violence. Although he pledged to implement significant changes, Goodell and the league office's reputation and credibility has taken a significant blow.   

Monday's press conference with Bisciotti wasn't as calculated or ambiguous as when Goodell spoke. Bisciotti even waved off a Ravens public relations representative to keep the questions coming. While the issue of domestic violence is rightfully in the spotlight, it is time for the NFL to take drastic, concrete measures to address it.