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Another NFL domestic abuse case

September 18, 2014

Another American Football player, Jonathan Dwyer, has become embroiled in allegations of domestic violence. Dwyer was arrested in Phoenix; the Arizona Cardinals suspended him from all team activities.

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Cardinals Player Arrested Football
Image: AP

NFL running back Jonathan Dwyer was arrested on Wednesday on charges of aggravated assault in connection with two altercations at his home involving a woman and an 18-month-old child. One of the counts was "aggravated assault causing a fracture" against the 27-year-old victim on July 21.

Sergeant Trent Crump of the Phoneix Police Department said in an email that Dwyer "admitted to the incidents, however, denied any physical assaults."

The 25-year-old was booked into Maricopa County Jail. His team, the Arizona Cardinals, said it learned of the case on Wednesday and was cooperating with police.

"Given the serious nature of the allegations we have taken the immediate step to deactivate Jonathan from all team activities," the Cardinals said in a statement.

Football-Star Ray Rice
Ray Rice's case has put the NFL under the microscopeImage: Getty Images/R. Carr

Running theme

The National Football League (NFL) has faced a string of domestic abuse scandals in recent weeks, since a videotape surfaced showing former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice knocking out his then-fiancee in an elevator.

Before the video emerged, Rice received just a two-game suspension from the NFL. He was then later banned indefinitely. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell came under criticism for his handling of the case, despite the league saying it had not seen the footage when handing down the initial suspension.

Earlier on Wednesday, Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson and Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy were put on the so-called "exempt list" by their teams, meaning they must take a leave of absence until their cases are cleared up.

The NFL's string of domestic abuse cases even forced key Democrat Nancy Pelosi to address the issue at her weekly news conference following repeated questions from journalists.

"I think Congress always has a role, but again if you're talking about anti-trust privileges and the rest of that, that certainly is a big issue and it cannot be done except by the Congress," Pelosi said of the NFL, which takes in around $9 billion (7 billion euros) in annual revenue.

Another NFL player accused of domestic violence, the San Francisco 49ers' Ray McDonald, remains eligible to play. Pelosi, an avid "Niners" fan, said McDonald should not have taken to the field last week.

Nike Inc, the company that stuck by golfer Tiger Woods, said it had suspended its contract with Adrian Peterson, one of the league's most marketable players.

The new NFL season started earlier this month.

msh/jr (AP, Reuters)