The story I read earlier (can’t remember where) said Rice spit in Janay’s face and she slapped him in response at which point the beat down commenced. Some interpreted this as her getting in the first blow, though not at all excusing him. Spitting in someone’s face IS an assault but regardless of how it began and who did/said what…

A person with superior size, strength and training has the absolute responsibility to control himself at all times, regardless of the situation. I don’t care if she was pummeling him with her fists, due to the physical differential, his only appropriate recourse is to defend himself by blocking blows or grabbing her hands/restraining her body in an non-injurious way to prevent further assault. He’s a pro football player, he knows these skills well.

Rice is a bully and violent man. Being demonstrably willing to inflict these injuries on a woman he supposedly loves means no one is safe around the guy. Any defense of his actions is beyond wrong-headed.