CNN reports that the Baltimore Ravens organization was “overwhelmed” over the weekend with fans exchanging Ray Rice jerseys for new ones.
The event was organized by the Baltimore Ravens, who saw more than 7,000 people file into M&T Bank Stadium from Friday to Sunday. Lines at some point reportedly stretched half a mile.
All in all, the Ravens exchanged their entire stock of 5,595 jerseys. The remaining 2,400 or so fans who couldn’t immediately get a replacement jersey got vouchers to exchange their jerseys once the Ravens can replenish their stock.
Ravens spokesman Kevin Byrne told CNN that the cost of the jersey replacement ran into “six figures” but wouldn’t give an exact amount. The Ray Rice jerseys the Raven organization received will be sent to a company that deals with scrap material.
This is far from the end of the Ray Rice fallout. Activists are continuing to pressure CoverGirl, the NFL’s official beauty sponsor, to drop all sponsorship and association with the league.
Rice has already lost several sponsors, including Nike and EA. Baltimore businesses have been especially quick to criticize Ray Rice — one local pizza parlour will give customers a free pizza for a Rice jersey, saying that the jersey would be acceptable for use as toilet paper.
