After both the Baltimore Ravens and the National Football League banished Ray Rice for his role in striking his then—fiancée, Janay Palmer in an Atlantic City, NJ elevator, U.S. President Barack Obama weighed in on the issue of domestic violence.

The President released a statement on Monday via White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest stating:

“The President is the father of two daughters. And like any American, he believes that domestic violence is contemptible and unacceptable in a civilized society.”

“Hitting a woman is not something a real man does, and that’s true whether or not an act of violence happens in the public eye, or, far too often, behind closed doors.”

“Stopping domestic violence is something that’s bigger than football – and all of us have a responsibility to put a stop to it.”

Although the assault occurred months prior, TMZ released a second tape on Monday, which was the first time anything surfaced depicting Rice punching Palmer. As a result, Rice was released by the Ravens and will not be able to sign with another team in the NFL for the immediate future.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell originally issued Rice a suspension without pay and a fine for conduct detrimental to the NFL after the first video surface showing Rice dragging Palmer our of an elevator.