Fox News contributor Tamara Holder said during an appearance on Tuesday night’s episode of “Hannity” that the backlash against NFL star Ray Rice has been unfair and amounted to him having his “balls” ripped off.
Holder was brought on by host Sean Hannity to discuss video footage that reportedly showed the former Baltimore Ravens running back beating his then-fiancee unconscious in a New Jersey casino elevator. The video led to Rice being cut from the Ravens and suspended by the NFL.
“I think it’s interesting that the anti-testicular police are coming out and just taking this guy’s balls and ripping them off and not paying attention to the fact that there is a family here,” Holder said. “That there were decisions to be made behind closed doors. That also, Miss (sic) Rice, formerly Miss Palmer, she played a role in it.”
She added that she was not saying Janay Rice, who eventually married the football star, deserved to be hit.
Hannity, however, took issue with Holder’s statements.
“There’s a rule in life, Tamara, that every man understands: you never lay a hand on a woman,” Hannity said. “Period.”
Holder said she was not condoning Rice’s actions, she was simply lamenting the public’s condemnation of him and the termination of his career with the NFL.
“I am not defending his behavior,” she said. “What I’m saying though is that where do we draw the line with just attacking somebody, ruining their life, firing them for life? He’s going to lose his home.”
Hannity later pointed out that the video showed a woman who could’ve died, an observation that prompted Holder to agree.
“Absolutely, she could’ve died,” Holder said, “and hopefully they’re going through counseling still. He made a mistake.”
