Ravens kicker Justin Tucker gets standing ovation for booming rendition of 'Ave Maria' (VIDEO)

It might come as sort of a surprise to NFL fans when they find out Baltimore Ravens placekicker Justin Tucker not only has a booming kickoff, but a powerful voice to match.

Tucker, one of the best kickers in the league, performed at a charity Christmas concert Thursday night and his stirring rendition of Ave Maria got a standing ovation from the audience.

Looking more like one of The Three Tenors than a three-point specialist, Tucker's soothing baritone voice delighted the capacity crowd at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Mount Vernon.

WATCH: Justin Tucker of the Baltimore @Ravens sings a stirring rendition of 'Ave Maria' at charity concert. https://t.co/j3OPI7qU58

— ABC News (@ABC) December 11, 2015

Tucker, who began singing opera while attending The University of Texas, joined soloist Laura Bruckmann at the concert conducted by Edward Polochick, the Baltimore Sun reported.

"The whole event, the whole concert was truly a blessing to be a part of in such a small way for me," said the talented 26-year-old. "It's way more nerve-wracking to sing in front of a group of people because quite frankly that's not my element.

"Kicking a ball in front of tens of thousands of people in a stadium and a bunch more watching on TV, that's totally our comfort zone."

The concert was a benefit for Gallagher Services, a group that supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Domestic violence prevention group wants Ray Rice to get second chance in NFL: Report

A group known as "A CALL TO MEN," which "encourages men to end violence against women," thinks Ray Rice deserves a second chance to play in the NFL.

After seeing the ex-Baltimore Ravens running back speak to high school and college students about the error of his ways over the past nine months, the group's co-founder Ted Bunch told ESPN's Adam Schefter that the disgraced Rice is ready for another shot at resuming his career as professional football player.

"He's held himself accountable," said Bunch. "He is saying everything that you would want him to say and doing everything that you would want him to do. So why wouldn't he deserve another chance? His work in the area of educating young men is more important than him getting back on the field. He knows that and has said that to us. He is seeing the bigger picture. He has a desire to compete again, but also to make a difference in the world. This is what mistakes should be about; learning from them and teaching others. We've been in front of a lot of batterers. He is as transparent as I've seen, and as sincere as I've seen."

The group's other co-founder, Terry Porter, added, "We have been around a lot of abusive men, but our experience with Ray has been tremendously positive. We feel strongly about him having the opportunity of having a second chance. He's deserving of it. ... A lot of people think we should kick him to the curb and his name should be mud forever. But how great would it be if everyone who made a mistake made it their mission to make sure a million people don't make the same mistake?"

The big question, wondered Schefter, was if any teams would be interested in signing a 28-year-old running back who hasn't played since 2013?

Rice claims he is working out daily and isn't motivated by money. But, it seems, that image of him standing over his then-fiancee in that Atlantic City elevator will be remembered more than any of his achievements on the field.

Ray Rice issues statement apologizing for domestic abuse incident

With the one-year anniversary of Ray Rice’s punch-out of Janay Palmer (now Janay Rice) in an elevator approaching, the former Baltimore Ravens and Rutgers running back issued a statement Friday morning to the Baltimore Sun, apologizing for the domestic abuse incident which was captured on video.

Rice, who slugged Palmer in an Atlantic City casino on Feb. 15, apologized to the city of Baltimore, the Ravens and children who saw him as a role model. The disgraced — and jobless — running back also called his time in Baltimore "by far the best" in his family's lives.

At the time of the assault, Palmer was his fiancee. She later became his wife who has defended her husband against media criticism.

Addressed to the city of Baltimore, here's the full statement Rice released, according to the Baltimore Sun:

Dear Baltimore,

This is not a farewell or goodbye. The last seven years that my family and I have spent in Baltimore have by far been the best of our lives. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all for the love and support you've shown my family and I throughout my football career. We'll always be grateful for the love we've received from all of our fans and supporters, and for winning a Super Bowl. To all the kids who looked up to me, I'm truly sorry for letting you down, but I hope it's helped you learn that one bad decision can turn your dream into a nightmare. There is no excuse for domestic violence, and I apologize for the horrible mistake I made. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me, and I hope to make a positive difference in people's lives by raising awareness of this issue. Thank you, Baltimore Ravens, for all you have done for my family and I. I'm very grateful to Steve Bisciotti, Ozzie Newsome, John Harbaugh, and everyone at 1 Winning Drive. I love you all very much, and I'll always be proud to say I played for the Baltimore Ravens.

Thank you.

-- Ray Rice

The 28-year-old Rice hasn't had any opportunities to rejoin an NFL team despite being free to sign since the latter weeks of last season.

Call Rice's shame the Valentines Day gift that keeps giving or — more precisely — the one that will keep coming back.

Feds knew of terror threats to New Orleans Super Bowl — including bomb plot to kill Beyoncé: Report

Federal agents investigated a series of terror threats including one against Beyoncé at last year's Super Bowl in New Orleans, a new report reveals.

The game between San Francisco's 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens on February 3 might be most remembered for the 34-minute blackout which interrupted the festivities but that might not be the only things that put the the public in danger.

According to documents obtained by News 4 I-team in Washington, the Department of Homeland Security kept from the public that there were at least four terrorist threats including an anonymous call made hours before kick-off which threatened to blow up the Mercedes-Benz Louisiana Superdome at half-time.

A timeline by News 4 I-team showed that the planned threats were to be carried out both inside and outside the stadium before and during the Crazy in Love singer's halftime show.

None of the investigations were made public until Thursday.

The sensitive security information, obtained from a Freedom of Information request by News 4 I-team revealed an unidentified caller used a pay phone to contact the Superdome with a threat to the stadium and the pop singer.

"The Mercedez-Benz building in New Orleans is going to blow up. It's gonna blow up after Beyoncé's performance," it said.

The caller was never found.

Another caller warned police that the Krazy Korner Bar in the city's nearby French Quarter, was lined with explosives.

It sparked an emergency raid hours before kick-off, forcing owners to clear the bar which was showing the game.

Minutes later, a bomb threat was made against the staging area of the stadium, prompting an FBI search. No explosives were found.

And earlier that day, more than 12 assault weapons were stolen from an unmarked New Orleans police car, including a semi-automatic handgun, an assault rifle, a tactical vest, swat team gear and a Taser gun.

There were no injuries or attacks during the big game and two suspects were detained in May. Only the swat team gear and tactical vest were recovered.

Ray Rice is most added player in fantasy football leagues after NFL reinstatement: Report

NFL owners may be reluctant to add Ray Rice to their teams, but fantasy owners appear to be more forgiving when it comes to helping out their teams.

Not surprisingly, after the former Ravens running back was reinstated by the NFL on Friday, fantasy owners — who won't have to worry about a public relations nightmare by picking up the disgraced running back —wasted no time in adding Rice to their teams as many begin their final playoff push.

The Yahoo! transaction trends page shows Rice has been added to 201, 968 teams as of 7 p.m. Friday.

That dwarfs the next most added player, Vikings running back Matt Asiata, who has been added to 20,277 teams.

Rice is still without a real NFL team and it may be difficult for the 27-year-old find an organization willing to take a player with all the excess scrutiny he'll surely attract.

But that doesn't mean NFL teams won't follow the fantasy owners lead.

Ravens cheerleader injured after being dropped by teammates during routine (PHOTOS)

A Baltimore Ravens cheerleader was stretchered off the field after apparently landing on her neck during an aerial stunt on Sunday.

The woman, who has not been named, was reportedly thrown into the air during a routine at the Ravens' game against Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

Witnesses said she was dropped by her teammates and landed on her head and neck. 

She then reportedly did not move for several minutes as medical personnel rushed on to the field and attended to her, according to CBS Sports. 

Getty Images photographer, Rob Carr, who shot photos of the scene, said that although the cheerleader was very still, she could be seen hyperventilating and crying as the game went on.

And not everyone was happy that the game continued while medical personnel attended to the injured woman.

Cheerleader bounces off her head, medics on scene but game goes on! Way to show your respect @Ravens
— Eliza Graham (@ElizaGlam) November 9, 2014

On Sunday evening, a Ravens spokesman told the Baltimore Sun that the "precautionary" tests on the cheerleader's neck had come back clean and she was OK.

Idiot wears offensive Ray Rice costume ... complete with blowup 'wife' he drags around by hair (PHOTOS)

With Halloween just around the corner, one NFL fan already found a way to offend just about everyone by wearing a Ray Rice costume — complete with a blowup version of the player's then-to-be wife he'd just beaten unconsciousness.

Photos of a man dragging the limp blowup doll by its hair showed up on Reddit Sunday in a forum reserved for taboo and tasteless humor called Too Soon.

Comments quickly flooded the site saying that anytime was too soon for the the costume. The photos were first posted by Redditor AL0311 along with the sick caption:

"Ladies were falling for my friends Ray Rice costume."

In the offensive photos — mimicking the famous domestic violence surveillance video at an Atlantic City casino (photo at bottom) —  the man wearing the former Baltimore Ravens running back's No. 27 jersey is seen dragging around a blowup doll in a long, dark wig.

Rice was suspended by the NFL and the case led to better awareness of domestic violence involving athletes. Legal experts now believe Rice has a strong case in his appeal against the suspension, and that he will likely win an argument that his suspension should only be six weeks, which has already passed.

These might be two of the worst ideas in a long time.

Young girl wears altered Ray Rice jersey with strong message (PHOTO)

While many Baltimore Ravens fans got caught up in the Ray Rice frenzy and started burning their No. 27 jerseys as a form of protest, one Baltimore family altered their daughter’s Ray Rice jersey to offer a simple message in a more constructive way.

The family says the young girl's "BE NICE TO GIRLS" jersey is an alternative to other acts of violence and destruction — including the torching of jerseys.  

Parent alters daughter's Ray Rice jersey to say "Be Nice to Girls": http://t.co/mflwJ4fun9 pic.twitter.com/uyJyInziAA
— Paul Lukas (@UniWatch) September 9, 2014

And since jerseys are extremely flammable, it's a safer option too.

White House condemns Ray Rice after shocking video of NFL star punching Janay Palmer emerges: Report

It seems President Obama has condemned Ray Rice in no uncertain terms after shocking video of the former Baltimore Ravens running back punching his then fiancée Janay Palmer emerged on Monday.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest's released a short statement following consultations with the president, after TMZ released the shocking footage of Rice punching Palmer (now his wife) unconscious in an Atlantic City elevator in February.

And while the statement doesn't mention Rice by name, it came right after the running back was released by his NFL team:

"The President is the father of two daughters. And like any American, he believes that domestic violence is contemptible and unacceptable in a civilized society," said the statement.

"Hitting a woman is not something a real man does, and that's true whether or not an act of violence happens in the public eye, or, far too often, behind closed doors.

"Stopping domestic violence is something that's bigger than football – and all of us have a responsibility to put a stop to it."

Obama greeted Rice and his teammates at the White House last year after the Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII.

Ray Rice's shocking punch to fiancee's face inside elevator emerges (VIDEO)

Everyone has already seen the aftermath of Ray Rice's argument with his fiancee Janay Palmer when he dragged her out of an Atlantic City elevator last winter. Now new footage of the NFL player actually landing a punch to Palmer's face inside the elevator has surfaced and the NFL reportedly saw it before handing down its weak two-game suspension as punishment.

TMZ Sports has obtained raw video of the vicious punch that knocked his then-fiancee (now wife) out — surely adding more controversy to Roger Goodell's wrist-slap of a penalty for Rice's brutal attack — in light of the league's tougher stand on domestic violence.

An employee of the hotel  — which just shut down for good -- tells TMZ Sports he was working there at the time and says the NFL saw the elevator footage before imposing the 2-game suspension.

The Feb. 15th incident took place at the Revel Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City — after the Baltimore Ravens running back and Palmer got into a heated argument on their way into the elevator. 

Inside the elevator it's apparent he strikes first ... she hits back ... and then Rice delivers the knockout blow.

The punch knocks Palmer off her feet — and she smashes her head on the elevator hand rail — knocking her out cold. An seemingly unfazed Ray then drags the unconscious woman out of the elevator into the hotel lobby.

After facing the media together, Ray and Palmer got married one month after the attack. 

The gossip site said it has reached out to the NFL for comment several times about the new footage but has not received a response.

 

Ray Rice pleads not guilty on Atlantic City assault charge: Report

Ray Rice arrived Thursday morning to court holding wife Jenay Palmer's hand and pleaded not guilty to assaulting her earlier this year in an Atlantic City casino.

In February, the Baltimore Ravens running back was caught on security camera footage dragging his then-fiancee Palmer's body out of an elevator. They have since married despite the Super Bowl champion being charged with third-degree aggravated assault.

He was indicted the day before their wedding for knocking her unconscious and pulling her around like a rag doll.

The not guilty plea came despite prosecutors offering Rice a plea deal that would not involve him serving jail time, reported the Baltimore Sun.

First time offenders in New Jersey are also permitted to enter a diversionary program that would allow him to avoid further court appearances and keep his record clean, the former Rutgers star's legal team said.

Rice spent hours filling out the paperwork to enter the program despite not yet being given the green light by prosecutors, said the Sun. Their approval is needed to go that route.

He was offered probation an court mandated anger management in his plea deal, and prosecutors did not signal to the paper whether they would allow him to take part in the diversionary program.

"There are guidelines which suggest a crime of violence may be rejected if the prosecutors doesn't consent to the application," an official said, adding that the offer already made is "consistent with other plea offers in similar cases."

Rice's attorney's plan to appeal if he is not allowed into the program. 

The Ravens also released a statement backing their player, which read: "We know there is more to Ray Rice than this one incident."

Team owner Steve Bisciotti added that Rice, who in 2012 signed a five-year $35 million contract with the Ravens, will continue to have a future in Baltimore.

Ray Rice marries fiancee the day after indictment for aggravated assault: Report

Ray Rice married Janay Palmer on Friday — one day after the Ravens running back was indicted for aggravated assault for allegedly knocking his then-fiancée unconscious, according to an ESPN report.

Rice and Palmer were arrested and charged with simple assault-domestic violence after an incident at the Revel Casino and Hotel in Atlantic City on Feb. 15. 

Rice was indicted Thursday by an Atlantic Country grand jury for one count of aggravated assault, a third-degree felony that carries a potential penalty of 3-5 years of imprisonment. Veteran New Jersey defense attorney Richard Klineburger told NJ.com it's "highly unlikely" Rice will serve prison time because he has no prior record.

The simple assault charge against Palmer was dismissed on Thursday. It has been reported that Palmer doesn't want to move forward with the case against Rice.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh said earlier this month that the couple had plans to attend counseling. The organization has supported Rice, a six-year veteran running back, throughout the process.

ESPN reported that Friday's ceremony had been planned for a couple of weeks.

Bills linebacker Brandon Spikes criticized Rice on Twitter, saying the marriage was only an attempt to "save his image."

I don’t see how anyone can respect him. Put your hands on a woman. The woman that had ur child 😳😳😳 #EyeContact
— BrandonSpikes51 (@BrandonSpikes51) March 29, 2014

49ers Chris Culliver arrested for hit and run, threatening witness with brass knuckles: Report

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver was tossed in jail Friday after hitting a bicyclist with his car, fleeing the scene and threatening witnesses with brass knuckles, police reported.

Culliver was charged with felony hit and run, reckless driving and weapons possession for the Friday morning incident in San Jose, sources told SF Gate.

Police said Culliver was recklessly driving his Ford Mustang through an intersection just after 10 a.m. when he struck a pedestrian on a bicycle.

When Culliver tried to drive away, another motorist chased the three-year NFL veteran in his car before cornering him.  Culliver then got out of his car to threaten the driver using a pair of brass knuckles, according to police.

Police found the brass knuckles while searching Culliver’s car, they also discovered he was driving on a suspended license, according to KPIX.

The bicyclist suffered only minor injuries.

This is not the the 25-year-old's first brush with controversy.  Culliver first drew national attention to himself after saying that gays were "not welcome" in NFL locker rooms and that they should "come out 10 years later."

He made the comments only days before the 2013 Super Bowl, which the 49ers lost to the Baltimore Ravens, and quickly apologized for the remarks.

Harbaugh says Ray Rice, fiancee to attend couples seminar: Report

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice and his fiancee plan to attend a couples seminar as they continue to work on their relationship following a physical altercation between them in February at an Atlantic City casino, according to coach John Harbaugh.

Rice and Janay Palmer were both arrested and charged with simple assault-domestic violence after the February 15 incident. The couple remains engaged to be married, according to Harbaugh.

Harbaugh said that Rice's account of what transpired between him and the mother of his child has remained the same and has matched up with the information the team has gathered about the pending legal situation.

"I've talked to Ray a lot, and really nothing to add other than what's been said already: The facts will determine the consequences, and we'll see where it goes," Harbaugh said Wednesday at a press conference for tight end Dennis Pitta. "I haven't seen anything different, just like you haven't seen anything different. Ray has told me his side of it, and everything we've seen so far is very consistent with what he said."

"There's nothing he has said that hasn't turned out to be the case. I know Ray is going to spend a week at a seminar type of thing as a couples type deal," he added. " He's doing everything he can to do what he needs to do and make things right."

Rice's court appearance was postponed after police referred the case to prosecutors for review. No new date has been set.

Atlantic City police have said they asked the county prosecutor's office to review the case and "ensure appropriate charges are considered." That review is ongoing, officials with the Atlantic County Office of the Prosecutor said Wednesday.

The NFL will review what happened under the league's personal-conduct policy.

At the NFL scouting combine in February, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome addressed the TMZ video that shows Rice dragging an unconscious Palmer from an elevator at Revel Casino, admitting it was a troubling image.

But Newsome said that he was encouraged that Rice and his fiancee are in counseling.

Mystery of sad Detroit Lions fan on downtown billboard solved: PHOTO

It must be difficult being a Detroit Lions fan for the past half century or so and kind of mean when someone uses your face on a giant billboard to publicly ridicule that diehard loyalty — but it's downright funny when that someone with the warped sense of humor is your own dad.

As it turns out, the giant billboard featuring the downtrodden Lions fan that popped up in downtown Detroit last month was the work of the poor guy's own father.

Steve Vlahakis purchased the enormous billboard so he could put a larger-than-life picture of his son, 23-year-old Niko Vlahakis, on view — just a couple blocks from Niko's work.

Niko first found out about it from a friend in Arizona who saw a photo of the billboard — featuring the downcast face of himself decked out in Lions gear — on Twitter.

This sad @DetroitLionsNFL billboard appeared downtown recently. Says a lot. pic.twitter.com/GVH55NqLPQ
— Rory Carroll (@Rory_Carroll) January 28, 2014

"When I first saw it, I was shocked. After a long day at work and getting a beer, I turned the corner and was speechless," he told The Huffington Post. "I definitely needed another beer after that. ...Every day when I come to work I have to see myself."

He initially had no idea who put up the billboard. When he eventually called his dad, the elder Vlahakis burst out laughing.

The father said he and some friends leased the billboard space from CBS Outdoors and it was not sponsored by the NFL team.

Niko's image — which became a popular meme — was captured by ESPN during the Dec. 16 game against the Ravens before Justin Tucker kicked a 61-yard field goal to defeat the Lions 18-16 in the final minute. 

"I had a great time until (Matt) Stafford threw an interception in the third," said the younger Vlahakis, who attended the game as a last-minute surprise from his father. "Once he threw that interception, I'm just sitting there a sad Lions fan, shaking my head. No words could explain it. You can see it on my face."

That face will be upon the billboard through the end of February.

Snow plow narrowly misses Vikings players on field (VIDEO)

It looked like the Baltimore Ravens took that "twelfth player" thing a little too seriously when this free-wheeling M+T Stadium groundskeeper almost took out a group of Minnesota Vikings players with a snow plow during a timeout Sunday.

Later, another groundskeeper made life just a little more difficult for Vikes' kicker Blair Walsh with her misdirected snow shovel action.

VIDEO: Snow plow narrowly misses @Vikings players http://t.co/GahUuqvtIv
— NFL (@nfl) December 8, 2013

Ed Reed offers $20K reward for turnovers on 'Wanted' T-shirts

The takeaway-starved New York Jets are apparently trying to buy their fumbles and INTs against the Baltimore Ravens this week.

Two members of the defensive secondary, Antonio Cromartie and Ed Reed, showed up Thursday in the team's locker room wearing identical black T-shirts that featured an old Western "Wanted" poster on the front.

The shirt includes a picture of a football and the words: "WANTED: In the air or on the ground. $20,000."

In the post-BountyGate NFL, the Wild West-style incentive may cause a ruckus but Cromartie said he got the shirt from Reed, who told reporters: "No, I'm not offering 20 grand for a turnover. I like how you tried to work that. It's a shirt, man. I like how you did that. It's funny how you guys twist our words."

The Jets are 28th in interceptions and 30th in the league in fumble recoveries. Overall, the Jets and the San Diego Chargers are tied for last in the NFL with seven takeaways this season — not something most expected from a team led by the defensive-minded head coach Rex Ryan.

Hopefully, Roger Goodell won't go all Wyatt Earp on the guys.

Fans, players cleared from Ravens-Bears game due to severe weather (GIF)

The Baltimore Ravens' game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field has been temporarily suspended in the first quarter due to lightning in the area.

As a precautionary measure, stadium officials cleared the the stands with fans exiting in an orderly fashion. Stadium officials have indicated that the soonest the game might resume is 2:25 p.m. ET, and even that estimation appears overly optimistic considering the severe weather.

There are now extremely heavy winds, steady rain and ominous dark clouds surrounding the stadium. Wind is blowing trash all over the field and stands.

The area is under a tornado watch, according to The Weather Channel and local meteorologists. Both teams have headed inside to the locker room.

The Ravens lead 10-0 behind a touchdown run from Ray Rice and a field goal by Justin Tucker.

Chris Canty to Justin Tuck: Punch opponents not teammates

Justin Tuck recently vowed that he would punch any teammate who turns on Tom Coughlin or causes any locker-room trouble because of the Giants’ 0-4 start. But former Giants defensive tackle Chris Canty thinks Tuck should worry about punching somebody else, first.

"Justin needs to worry about punching opposing offenses in the mouth," Canty, the new Ravens defensive tackle, said on NFL Network on Wednesday night. 'The way you show that you have your coach’s back is by going out there on that football field and performing."

"I’m sure Tuck is defending his coach. Tom Coughlin is an excellent coach, he’s a great man, so obviously as a player, you want to have his back. But you’ve got to show that on the field. That’s got to be taken care of on the field."

Canty also weighed in on Antrel Rolle’s comments that some in the Giants locker room don’t believe the team can rebound from its 0-4 start.

"There are guys in that locker room that probably lack the confidence that they can win football games," Canty said. "But as we know confidence comes from demonstrated performance. They just have to go out there and win a football game to show themselves that they can overcome the adversity in that game and be successful as a team."

Jamal Lewis rips Johnny Manziel and calls him the 'next Tim Tebow'

Former NFL running back Jamal Lewis thinks Johnny Manziel has more in common with Tim Tebow than just a Heisman Trophy — suggesting that the Texas A&M quarterback can look forward to having a mediocre pro football career as a signal caller.

TMZ caught up with the former Baltimore Ravens' workhorse at LAX where Lewis — an Atlanta native — claimed he is a huge Falcons fan but not so big on Johnny Football's future in the NFL.

"He's the next Tim Tebow," said Lewis about Manziel hinting that he plans on going pro after  his sophomore season.

"He's a good college quarterback," said the nine-year pro who helped the Ravens win the 2003 Super Bowl. But when it came to Manziel bringing his larger-than-life antics to the NFL, Lewis was less complimentary.

"I don't think he'll do good on the field or off of it."

Hear that Jacksonville Jaguars?