Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome has admitted that the violence displayed by Ray Rice in his assault on his wife was worse than he imagined.

Newsome spoke with the 27-year-old in the aftermath of the incident, following his arrest and placement in an intervention programme, to discuss the full details of the case.

The general manager revealed that Rice did not lie to him about the incident, but has admitted he was shocked when TMZ released CCTV footage of the violence displayed in the melee.

Newsome told the club's official website: "When I met with Ray to discuss the incident, I asked him one question, 'Did you hit her?' He responded, 'Yes'.

"Ray and I didn't discuss details beyond that, because in my mind if he hit her, no matter the circumstances or explanation, he needed to own the situation.

"I immediately focused on Ray taking responsibility and making amends. I later said Ray didn't lie to me because he told me he hit her, and that is what the video later showed - although the video was much more violent than what I had pictured."

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh also admitted that Rice had not told him about the level of violence involved in the assault.