NFL player arrested on allegations of assault and strangulation pleads not guilty after being taken into police custody a day before the New England Patriots lost to the Miami Dolphins.
NFL player arrested ahead of game day
New England Patriots’ captain and safety, Jabrill Peppers, was allegedly involved in a violent incident that included strangling and using a dangerous weapon on someone. On top of that, when the police searched his property, they reportedly discovered cocaine.
According to the Braintree Police Department, which shared details of the incident on Monday, officers were called to a residence due to a conflict between the NFL player and his girlfriend.
The 911 caller said the New England Patriot “hit her, choked her, took off her clothing and put her outside,” according to the police report.
The girlfriend told police that Peppers grabbed her around the neck, bashed her head into a wall, and tossed her down the stairs after an early morning fight.
The Patriots starting safety denied assaulting the woman, claiming that she “fell by herself on the stairs because she was intoxicated.”
He also told the police, “that she was making those allegations to destroy his career,” the report said.
Peppers, the Patriots starting safety, faces multiple charges including assault and battery, strangulation, assault and battery with a deadly weapon, and possession of a Class B substance, suspected to be cocaine.
Patriots speak out after star NFL player Jabrill Peppers is arrested
In a statement, the Patriots acknowledged the incident involving Peppers, mentioning that law enforcement is actively involved.
“We are aware of an incident involving Jabrill Peppers over the weekend in which the police are currently investigating,” the organization said. “We will have no further comment at this time.”
However, Patriots’ coach, Jerod Mayo, shared his thoughts with the media, saying, “He called me that morning. I knew what was going on.”
He added that they’ve been in touch with the NFL about the situation and are still gathering information about the ordeal.
“I don’t think anyone knows the facts or anything like that. It’s a process,” Mayo noted.
Peppers was already sidelined from Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins, due to a shoulder injury, and currently, there’s uncertainty around his status in the league moving forward.
He appeared at Quincy District Court and pleaded not guilty on Monday. He was slapped with $2,500 bail and ordered to stay away from the alleged victim.
Peppers was a first-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2017, having shone at Michigan in college. He later transitioned to the New York Giants in 2019 before eventually joining the Patriots.
With the Patriots, he’s become a standout player and consistent starter, just securing a three-year, $30 million contract in July.
Ex-MLB pitcher arrested again
Elsewhere, former baseball player and No. 1 draft pick, Matt Bush, encountered some legal troubles of his own over the weekend.
He faces charges related to DWI on Sunday, after allegedly attempted to escape the scene of a multi-car accident in Texas.
Driving his 2023 Lincoln Aviator, the 38-year-old former MLB player reportedly caught the attention of an Arlington police officer due to erratic driving.
Instead of stopping, he sped off, triggering a “Be On The Lookout” alert. Not long after, a multi-car collision was reported at a nearby intersection. When police arrived, they found Bush being restrained by bystanders.
Allegedly, he ignored a red light, colliding with a 2023 Chevy Silverado and subsequently crashing into two more vehicles—a 2010 GMC Yukon and a 2008 Toyota Corolla.
After the crash, Bush purportedly tried to flee but was apprehended by the bystanders until authorities arrived.
Both Bush and the Silverado’s driver were hospitalized, with suspicions of Bush being intoxicated. He declined sobriety tests and refrained from discussing the incident with investigators.
This isn’t Bush’s first brush with the law, or even the first time he’s tried to flee the scene of an accident he caused.
After being drafted by the San Diego Padres as the No. 1 pick in 2004, he faced multiple allegations, including felony assault and disorderly conduct.
Over the years, he’s had a series of arrests related to DUIs and other offenses.
In 2009, he attacked a lacrosse player with a golf club at a San Diego high school while he was drunk.
In 2012, while signed with the Tampa Bay Rays, Bush found himself jailed after a series of charges stemming from hitting a 72-year-old motorcyclist and attempting to flee the scene in Florida.
He was sentenced to 51 months in prison for that DUI arrest and was released in 2015.
Bush returned to the MLB in 2016, but was sidelined by injuries and had to go through several Tommy John procedures.
He managed a surprising comeback to the Rangers in 2023, but did not play in a single game of their World Series Championship.
