A Ray Rice jersey is worth the price of a pizza and a $10 bar tab after the Baltimore Ravens cut the running back and the NFL indefinitely suspended him on Sept. 8.
Baltimore pizzeria Hersh's Pizza and Drinks will offer a free pizza (eat-in only) for unwanted Rice jerseys. The pizza establishment will also donate $2.70 to the House of Ruth Maryland non-profit organization for every jersey received. The organization helps women and children who are victims of domestic violence.
"Dear Lovers of Women, Not Hitting Women, Non Violence and Just Generally Being a Good Person, Come trade your Ray Rice Ravens Jersey in for a free pizza at Hersh's. These jerseys will save us money on toilet paper this week. #CutRayRice," the restaurant posted on its Facebook page on Sept. 8.
The nearby No Idea Tavern followed suit and offered their own Rice jersey exchange for a $10 bar tab. They too will donate the $2.70 to the local non-profit organization.
"Anyone who surrenders their Ray Rice jerseys at the bar will receive a $10 bar tab. No. Questions. Asked," the tavern tweeted. It added, "The amount of support&retweets is incredible. We will match our neighbor @HershsPizza and donate $2.70 per jersey! Plus the $10 tab!"
The Baltimore Ravens will offer their own jersey exchange at stadium stores, the team tweeted on Sept. 9. Details of the exchange are forthcoming.
The New England Patriots made a similar offer for Aaron Hernandez jerseys in July, according to Mashable. The Pats tight end was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Fans could make a free exchange for a jersey of comparable value.
"We know that children love wearing their Patriots jerseys, but may not understand why parents don't want them wearing their Hernandez jerseys anymore," said team spokesperson Stacey James at the time. "We hope this opportunity to exchange those jerseys at the Patriots ProShop for another player's jersey will be well received by parents."
The exchange cost the Patriots more than $250,000, but extended the deal to some 2,500 fans, according to Sporting News. The team planned to ground up the jerseys and turn them into recycled material.
EA Sports will also remove Rice from "Madden '15" in a Week 1 update and he "won't be on Ravens or free agents lists," Fox Sports 1 NFL insider Mike Garafolo tweeted.
