Jonathan Dwyer Joins NFLers Facing Assault Charges

NEWSER) – The hit list keeps growing, and unfortunately, that is meant literally. In the first few weeks of the NFL season, a slew of domestic violence and child abuse allegations have come to light involving star football players, including a graphic video of Ray Rice (Baltimore Ravens) appearing to punch unconscious his then-fiancée in an elevator, Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings) accused of abusing his 4-year-old son, and Greg Hardy (Carolina Panthers) found guilty of assaulting his girlfriend. Now Jonathan Dwyer (Arizona Cardinals) has been arrested on several charges, including aggravated assault involving a minor and criminal damage, reports the New York Times.

The charges are related to two separate incidents in Dwyer’s home dating back to late July, with the report first being made to the Phoenix Police Department on Sept. 11, reportsNBC News. Police say that the victims, a 27-year-old woman and 18-month-old child, left the state after the incidents. (Dwyer and his wife had a son in February 2013.) They add that Dwyer has admitted to the incidents but that he said no physical assault occurred. The NFL says it is reviewing the allegations, while the Cardinals announced in a statement that the team was unaware of them until yesterday, when Dwyer was arrested and booked into jail, and immediately cut Dwyer off from any team activities. The NFL has taken heat in recent days for what some call its dismissive handling of these player allegations. (Even Rihanna and her music have joined the fray.)