Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice has accepted that he is to blame for his two-game suspension from the NFL.
The league announced that the 27-year-old will miss the start of the 2014 season for breaking the NFL's personal conduct policy relating to his arrest for domestic violence.
Rice said in a statement released by the team: "It is disappointing that I will not be with my teammates for the first two games of the season, but that's my fault.
"As I said earlier, I failed in many ways. But, Janay and I have learned from this. We have become better as a couple and as parents. I am better because of everything we have experienced since that night. The counseling has helped tremendously.
"My goal is to earn back the trust of the people, especially the children, I let down because of this incident. I am a role model and I take that responsibility seriously. My actions going forward will show that."
Rice rushed for 660 yards and scored four touchdowns during the 2013 season.
Sian Cowper
