That Doesnt mean he has to just take a barrage of punches.

Alternatively, can we agree that just because someone is moving aggressively toward you with the intention of physical violence, doesnt automatically warrant a person's full level of aggression? Especially someone of Ray Rice's physical prowess? Can we agree a one-size fits all retaliation to all acts of aggression are inappropriate? Especially when the aggressor is much physically weaker and presents no true threat to Rice.

Ray Rice absolutely did not have to KO his abusive fiancee in that situation. To argue otherwise is actually doing more harm than good when attempting to hold all people accountable for domestic violence.

Ray Rice had the opportunity to walk away from the situation before following her into the elevator or to choose to react with a lower, more appropriate level of force when facing a non-life threatening situation.

"Deserving it" is no excuse to KO a person in this scenario, just like you would expect Rice to restrain himself when faced with a non-weaponized attack from a child or a different much, much weaker human. Just because she was also wrong, doesn't make his actions justified or right. Just because she should know better doesn't mean he should use disproportionate force against her.

Hard to defend the actions of Rice.