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Ray Rice has an ally in Paul George. Or at least he had one for a few minutes on Thursday.
The Indiana Pacers star apologized after weighing in on the Rice controversy with some controversial tweets that created a firestorm of criticism on social media.
George outraged Twitter users by seemingly justifying Rice punching out then-fiancée Janay Palmer in a hotel elevator.
'I don't condone hittin women or think it's coo BUT if SHE ain't trippin then I ain't trippin.. Lets keep it movin lol let that man play!' George wrote.
Rice was cut by the Baltimore Ravens and suspended indefinitely by the NFL after video of his attack against Palmer - whom he eventually married -
was released by TMZ this week.
Judging by this and another since-deleted tweet, George is sympathetic to Rice's situation.
'If you in a relationship and a woman hit you first and attacking YOU.. Then you obviously ain't beatin HER. Homie made A bad choice! #StayUp'
It didn't take long, however, for George to erase the offending messages and backtrack by
publishing the requisite apology tweet.
'Let me apologize to the women and to the VICTIMS of domestic violence people my intent was not to downplay the situation..'
SEAN GARDNER/REUTERS
George, who is expected to miss the entire NBA season after breaking his right leg while playing for Team USA last month, then
issued an official statement through the Pacers.
'I want to apologize to all victims of domestic abuse for my insensitive tweets. They were obviously without proper understanding of the seriousness of the situation and I sincerely regret my poor choice of words.'?
In the same statement, Pacers president Larry Bird took his star player to task for his 'thoughtless' comments.
'Paul George's tweets from earlier were thoughtless and without regard to the subject of domestic violence and its seriousness in society. We have talked to Paul to strongly express our displeasure and made it clear that the NBA and the Pacers' organization will not condone or tolerate remarks of this nature.
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