Ravens fans are apparently willing to forgive and — maybe more so — forget that Ray Rice knocked his wife unconscious and dragged her out of an elevator this winter. They do not seem, at least the ones quoted on Ravens.com, to share America's almost unanimous outrage over Rice's two-game suspension from the NFL, a punishment that is half as long as that for a repeat marijuana smoker.

But the quotes contained within a Ravens.com story titled "Ravens Fans Give Ray Rice Standing Ovation" and the passages within a post penned by one of their communications guys titled "I like Ray Rice" have more to do with the flaws of the NFL than the fans or author (H/T to Matt Ufford for digging out those stories, by the way).

"I have on number 27 to show the fans, and the world, that I am supportive of Ray Rice," said Jerra Byrd of Randallstown, Md. "He has been forgiven by his wife. He is moving on with his life. He didn't ask for the two-game suspension."

"He has been forgiven by his wife" is directly related to that Peter King story linked above in which he reveals Rice's wife was part of a hearing with the NFL and begged the league to go easy on him. You don't need us to tell you that there is no way she should have been in that hearing — not in a vulnerable position where there is no way she could freely speak her mind about the incident. And besides, Keith Olbermann says it so much better than we would.

"I'm wearing his jersey because he is still a good man," added Debbie Lindling of Baltimore.

And this, from the Ravens PR man: "I liked Ray Rice a lot then. I like Ray Rice a lot today. … Like many of us, Ray Rice had a moment in his life he wishes he could take back."

Again, this speaks to the idea that this was an isolated incident, something portrayed in that King story but also surely part of any Rice narrative from his camp and the Ravens going forward. It could very well be true. Even if it is true, it in no way excuses the one incident caught on graphic video, and furthermore there is absolutely no way we know it to be true — particularly not from the testimony of the abused wife, since as Olbermann notes those who are victims will do anything and say anything if they think it will spare future abuse.

The NFL is enabling this with a comically weak punishment and an even worse follow-up from Senior VP Adolpho Birch on Mike & Mike yesterday.

"In terms of sending a message about what the league stands for, we've done that," Birch said.

Indeed, NFL, you have. Let's wipe away this "distraction" as quick as possible. Now who wants to see Ray Rice play football!