Ravens owner insists team didn't see 2nd video; suggests Rice's camp fueled OTL story

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti defended his team's handling of the Ray Rice incident Monday and refuted many of the details included in a damning article published by ESPN.com's Outside the Lines, alleging the team tried to cover up Rice's behavior and asked for leniency from the league.

Bisciotti reiterated that the Ravens didn't see the second video of Rice punching then-fiancee Janay Palmer and assumed his actions were less severe than what was later revealed on video. He said the team chose to "stand down" in its own investigation when it learned Rice was facing felony charges, deferring to law enforcement officials.

Asked if he was ever curious to see the video, Bisciotti sounded puzzled by the idea. "No ... no ... I wasn't," he responded.

Bisciotti insisted that after the second video became public, the team immediately decided to cut Rice. He said his first thought after seeing the footage was "why didn't we get that video and how could the league not have seen that video?"

"I'm sorry we didn't push harder to get that tape," he said. "It never crossed my mind."

The Ravens released a statement Monday, disputing Outside The Lines' findings and Bisciotti claimed that most of the sources used were from Rice's inner circle. 

"The majority of the sources [from the report] are people that work for Ray," Bisciotti said. "Almost everything in there is anonymous, but it's clear from the subject matter that it's Ray's attorney, it's Ray's agent, it's Ray's friends."

Bisciotti denied the allegation he pushed for Rice to get a light suspension from the NFL, saying he expected a two-game ban based on precedent but was prepared for a four- to six-game term.

"I don't think the league would take too kindly to us badgering them (for leniency)," Bisciotti added.

Bisciotti stood by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's actions with regards to Rice. "I haven't lost faith in Roger," he said.

Bisciotti said he still believes Rice is a good person and will welcome him back to the organization as a player mentor after his playing career ends, but made it clear Rice will never play for the Ravens again.