Former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice hasn't stepped foot on an NFL field since September 2014, when the Ravens released him after a video emerged of Rice striking his current wife Janay Palmer in a elevator.

Soon after the video went viral, Rice was suspended indefinitely from the NFL. The suspension was eventually overturned, but Rice is still unemployed. Things still don't seem to be going in Rice's favor. It has been 20 months since his reinstatement and he has yet to receive a call from any NFL team.

All of the scrutiny Rice has received over the years has been deserved. What he did to his wife was horrible and should have never happened. The fact that the world actually saw the video of what he did made things even worse for him. Sure, nobody will ever forget what he did but we all need to learn how to forgive him.

I believe America is a land of second chances. Everyone in life makes mistakes that we regret, even if it's not as serious as Rice's, nobody is perfect. Ray Rice deserves another chance to be on a NFL roster this season. Since his incident Rice has apologized and expressed how bad domestic violence is on numerous occasions. His heart is in the right place because he has now become the poster boy of domestic violence in a good way. He has donated money to charities, given speeches about domestic violence and has done a great job spreading awareness on this issue. I don't think he's doing this just to get approval from others because it seems he genuinely cares.

From a football perspective, I could understand why teams may not want Rice on their roster. He will hit the age of 30 soon and we know that is the age where running backs in the NFL start to decline. In his last season with the Ravens in 2013 before his departure people could tell Ray Rice wasn't the same. He had a career low in all categories and really struggled throughout the season. He managed to only accumulate 660 yards while averaging 3.1 yards per run in 15 games that season. Rice's Pro Bowl and elite days are over but can he be a veteran second or third string running back on a team? I don't see why not. NFL experts have said religiously that Ray Rice won't amount to anything or have little impact if signed to a team at this point of his career. My response to those analysts is we don't know that until he steps on the field. Might as well give him a shot.

Rice has been in the news recently because he said he will give his entire salary to a domestic violence program if a NFL team will sign him. How could you say no to that? He just want to play football while still helping the domestic violence issues in this country. Not for the money, not for the headlines but because he wants to end his career the right way. The most Rice can make is at least $885,000, which is considered the veteran minimum for someone with Rice's experience. Compared to the NFL contracts being given out these days taking a chance on Rice can't hurt. All of that money is going to a charity of his choice, so Rice would basically be playing for free.

I met Ray Rice in 2012 while attending the Baltimore Ravens training camp before their season began. We had a quick conversation after their practice. He asked me if I play sports. Before I answered, I couldn't believe I was a talking a professional athlete of his caliber. I told him I ran track for Mount Saint Joseph High School. I never forgot what he said to me after. " Whatever you do in life, do it because you love it." Then he signed my Jordans that I still have to this day. I really wish Rice would another shot. He has taken full responsibility for his actions and has taken the necessary steps to regain a positive image. He had a huge impact on the youth in Baltimore during his time as a Raven and you can still catch him around town sometimes. He is a great guy that made a huge mistake. Everybody deserves a second chance, but whatever you do with that chance is your call. As far as Ray Rice goes I would guarantee you that he would take advantage of that chance.

God Bless Ray Rice.