This is one of those really touchy subjects that who knows really what the right answer is. Case and point, the NFL reinstated Michael Vick after he served his jail time for the deplorable dog-fighting ring he was a big part of. Now, many fans still think of him as a pariah, someone who does not deserve to have a job in the NFL.
However, he got his second chance after he served his punishment. That doesn't wipe from our memory what he was a part of, and you as a fan have to determine whether or not he's deserving of being able to make a living in the NFL again.
All of these guys who are in a mess right now, Rice included will have to be dealt with some kind of punishment. What it really comes down to is, does he deserve a second chance after the punishment has been served? To me, it would seem a bit harsh to say no, he doesn't deserve to be reinstated to the NFL. However, all these guys still have to make a living (I'm not defending him, let's be very clear of that, because I think he deserves a very stiff punishment) and is it really fair to deprive somebody of the ability to make a living?
I personally think he'll be back at some point. There will of course be a backlash on the team that signs him, but with the passage of time, wounds will be healed, it's just the way society seems to work.
