Varsity Insider

Like he does every June, Ray Rice packed the house at McKenna Field Saturday morning for his annual Ray Rice Day camp. There were more than 450 kids on hand and a bevy of NFL and college stars, but this year added something special.

The school honored the former New Rochelle star by retiring his jersey. The ceremony brought Rice to tears.

Here’s Rick Carpiniello’s column about what the No. 5 meant to Rice and his family. In short, the All-Pro running back said it might be the best honor he’d ever received. That’s saying a lot.

Before the ceremony, there was the matter of New Rochelle’s favorite son playing host, which might be the only thing he does better than run the football. I found Rice at his best again on Saturday, a day that both requires every ounce of his attention and receives it.

We know Rice’s overwhelming success with Ray Rice Day has inspired current and former teammates to join him in support. Bart Scott of the Jets, Ron Girault of the Bucs, Devin McCourty of the Patriots and Courtney Greene of the Jaguars were among those in attendance this year.

In fact, McCourty said he and his twin brother, Jason McCourty, were inspired to the point of creating an event of their own. They will host it Saturday from 9-2 at their alma mater, St. Joe’s in Montvale.