Ray Rice: Not Giving Up NFL Dream ... Despite Mentor Role

Just because he's giving life advice to NFL rookies doesn't mean Ray Rice has given up on his NFL dream -- with multiple sources close to the RB telling us he's still hoping to play this season.

Over the past few days, 29-year-old Rice returned to the Baltimore Ravens to advise the rookies about the importance of being a good person. He also spoke with the football team at Western Michigan.

Many people saw the moves as an indication he was finally ready to let his NFL dream go -- instead, exploring a career as a life coach or motivational speaker.

But we're told that's just not the case.

Our sources tell us Rice has been training like crazy -- keeping his body in NFL shape in case a team decides to kick the tires.

As one person put it -- "his primary focus is on himself, his family and educating others but he would still like to finish what he started."