( CNN ) -- Ray Rice , the embattled Baltimore Ravens running back , told Matt Lauer in an interview on the `` Today '' show that `` the only thing I can hope for and wish for is a second chance . '' Rice was captured on film delivering a knock-out punch to his fiancee , now wife , in an Atlantic City hotel elevator . I do n't think he should get that second chance he is asking for . Domestic violence is an outright attack against women -- individually and as a gender . While I know from 30 years of experience as a criminal defense attorney that domestic violence is not limited to female victims , the overwhelming percentage of domestic violence events are men using their physical strength to overpower women . It is an insidious assault upon our mothers , sisters , girlfriends and wives . As a society , we tolerate far too much of this type of abuse . We can not tolerate it any longer , especially from celebrated public figures . They may not all deserve it , but celebrities are idolized in this country . From Hollywood actors to sports heroes and recording artists , we have created an extraordinarily special class amongst us . Great benefit and great advantage comes with such celebrity , and whether they like it or not , great responsibility comes as well . Sometimes , celebrities fail to live up to their responsibilities . Rather than forgiving the dalliances and sins of those whom we have made demigods , we owe it to our children ( the ones who are looking up to these demigods ) to hold their heroes ' feet to the fire and send a clear message . If we are going to pay somebody tens of millions of dollars to make movies , play sports or perform on stage , then we should also let them know that the privilege we have granted can be easily revoked if they fail to act responsibly . NFL brass admits 'crucial mistake ' in punishment of Rice . Rice made himself a celebrity when he accepted a $ 35 million dollar contract with an NFL football team . When he punched his fiancee in the face and dragged her unconscious body out of a hotel elevator , he violated a public trust , and he should n't be allowed to play football for the NFL anymore . Admittedly , this zero tolerance policy argument flies in the face of the mitigation that I always argue on behalf of my criminal clients , but most criminal clients are not role models to millions of fans . Just like Donald Sterling , who was stripped of his ownership of the LA Clippers for making racist remarks , Rice should learn that if you 're going to bear the fruit , then you must also bear the burden . When we tell domestic abusers such as Ray Rice , in such a public way , that it 's OK to knock out your wife and drag her out of an elevator , then we are telling everyone it 's OK. We 're telling the young boys and teenagers who wear Rice jerseys that hitting women is OK. Well , it 's not OK .
Mark O'Mara : Ray Rice wants a second chance after video showed him punching fiancee . O'Mara : He does n't deserve one ; Domestic violence is attack on all women , ca n't be tolerated . Comment: