Embattled football running back Ray Rice has reportedly blamed alcohol for his attack on then-fiancee Janay Palmer.

Sources, who spoke with the people of gossip website TMZ, said that according to Rice, it was hard liquor that triggered him to punch Palmer - now his wife - in the face in February while they were riding an elevator.

A video of the hitting, which resulted in Palmer getting knocked out, was first published by the gossip site on Sept. 8. The controversial footage prompted Rice's National Football League (NFL) team, the Baltimore Ravens, to terminate his contract on that same day, The New York time says.

Rice told his team that he and Palmer had been drinking heavily before the assault. He also claimed that he acts like a different person when he is drunk.

The football star, who has since claimed that he is changing his ways, is now serving an indefinite suspension by the NFL.

Rice and Palmer were baptized as born again Christians in March and have been involved in religious activities since February, according to Aceshowbiz.

Furthermore, sources claimed the two underwent religious mentoring with other couples, including other NFL players and their spouses.

Rice also issued a statement on Tuesday, saying he is "trying to work through this" and that "a lot of people are praying" for them.

Meanwhile, the NFL has claimed they have not seen the footage of the abuse until it was leaked on Monday. However, an unnamed law enforcement official told The Associated Press (AP) that the video reached officials of the league months prior.

NFL spokesperson Greg Aiello denied the report by the AP and said the league was not "aware of anyone in our office who possessed or saw the video before it was made public on Monday."

The NFL later announced that it has enlisted the services of former FBI director Robert S. Mueller to look into the league's "pursuit and handling of the evidence."