NFL News: Ray Rice apologizes, Jim Irsay faces charges, and Johnny Manziel involved in bizarre lawsuit

Some of the biggest NFL stories that emerged recently don't really have much to do with the Philadelphia Eagles, but they're still noteworthy in the context of the league. Let's take a look at what's going on around the NFL.

Ray Rice apologizes

Ravens running back Ray Rice apologized for assaulting his wife, which took place back in February. Rice's wife said she "deeply regrets the role that she played the night of the incident." SB Nation's Ryan Van Bibber weighed in on this terrible moment.

And there she is, the woman who Rice knocked out and dragged out of the elevator, accepting culpability for her role in the whole thing. The situation that occurred. All this passive-voice talk, all this misplaced responsibility.

I wasn't at the Revel Casino to know exactly what happened in February, of course, so I don't know if maybe there was an argument that led up to the moment where Rice knocked his wife out in front of security cameras. That's beside the point, of course: what Rice did is impossible to justify, which makes an explanation unnecessary. Still, Rice's wife accepting equal blame for being knocked unconscious and dragged, by Ray Rice, is a pretty terrible attempt at an explanation.

Rice's own obliviousness to the perversity of all this further sells his sincerity. He even threw in one of those stupid motivational tropes pro players use to jam up your timeline. Not just any trope either, a thematically appropriate one.

PFT says it's "only a question of when and how much, not if, Rice receives a suspension under the league’s personal-conduct policy."

Good.

Jim Irsay faces misdemeanor charges

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has finally been charged following an arrest that took place on March 16. Here are the details:

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay will be charged with two misdemeanors for his March arrest, according to Fox 59 in Indianapolis. Irsay was arrested on March 16 for suspicion of driving under the influence, and his two misdemeanors -- one count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and one count of operating a vehicle with a schedule I or II controlled substance or its metabolite in the body -- reflect that.

Those substances were oxycodone and/or hydrocodone, according to the report. Irsay was "mixing medications," and had as many as five different medications in a briefcase, duffle bag and on his person. Alcohol does not seem to have played a part. Irsay was originally given four preliminary charges of felony drug possession, which did not wind up in the formal charges Friday.

Each of the charges carries a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and a $500 fine, but it's unlikely Irsay sees maximum penalties since he is a first-time offender.

The NFL has yet to announce any kind of punishment for Irsay.

Johnny Manziel involved in bizarre lawsuit

BGN already discussed this one on Friday. It turns out that the actual person filing the lawsuit against Manziel is not new to doing such a thing. Via PFT:

Whoever filed the fake lawsuit against Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel may be getting sued.

The woman named as the plaintiff in the lawsuit, HLN contributor Samantha Schacher, said via Twitter that the civil complaint filed in a Florida federal court is indeed a hoax.  She claims that the person who filed the lawsuit is named Jonathan Lee Riches, who has a history of filing lawsuits.  To say the least.

Riches, who surely has none, now may be on the receiving end of a lawsuit from Manziel.  Via USA Today, agent Erik Burkhardt said that litigation is possible.

You can read more about Riches' bizarre behavior on his Wikipedia page.

Other news

• The NFL will add 12 first-year officials in 2013. One, Brad Freeman is a former player. Another is Shawn Hochuli, son of infamous active NFL official Ed "Hercules" Hochuli.

• Former Eagles QB Michael Vick says there is no 'open competition' with Geno Smith.

• Seahawks sign draft pick before having to cut him due to heart condition.