SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Jerry Rice has joined former teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Steve Young in suggesting that the San Francisco 49ers bench defensive lineman Ray McDonald while the criminal investigation in the wake of his Aug. 31 arrest for domestic violence continues.
Rice told Sports Illustrated he shares the feelings of his former quarterback, who offered the same opinion on ESPN's "Monday Night Countdown" last week.
"I would have totally just taken him off the field until it was resolved," Rice said Thursday, "but they have decided to let him play, and it's just unfortunate. But I feel when you have something that's weighing you down like that, and because it's a very important topic and it's very sensitive, I just feel he should have been taken off the field."
The 49ers have maintained their stance several times -- that they will let due process play out, even in the face of calls from the likes of California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to deactivate McDonald, who has started both of the 49ers' games.
"You've seen there's been a lot of public speculation and people weighing in with their opinion, whether it's a public figure or people through social media," coach Jim Harbaugh said Monday. "Our response would be, we have two principles at play here. One is respect for due process, and we're not going to flinch based on public speculation."
McDonald has not been charged. San Jose police continue their investigation before sending their findings to the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office for consideration of charges.
Other NFL players who have been suspended, released or deactivated for their involvement or alleged involvement in domestic violence by their respective teams in recent days include Ray Rice, Greg Hardy and Jonathan Dwyer.