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Ray Rice Returns to Rutgers to Receive Diploma 19 Years After Leaving

He presents the milestone as keeping a promise to his grandparents.

Overview

  • Rice completed a Bachelor of Science in labor and employment relations in January 2026 and will walk the stage at Rutgers in May.
  • He left the school in 2007 with about 75 credits and finished the rest online to honor a vow to his grandparents, James and Amelia Reed.
  • His NFL career ended in 2014 after video showed him striking his then-fiancée, and he entered a court-ordered pretrial intervention program that led to the case being dismissed.
  • Since the incident he has spoken to youth, high school, and college teams about accountability and says, “It’s not a redemption story.”
  • Rutgers staff praised his commitment to coursework, while some social media users criticized the university for promoting his graduation.