MORE KAREEM FALLOUT
Hunt reportedly under investigation again as Chiefs move on
Kareem Hunt is reportedly under investigation for not one but two violent attacks.
The former Chiefs running back, who was released Friday after video emerged of him punching and kicking a woman in a hotel in February, is also facing questions about allegedly punching a man in the face in June, according to the NFL Network.
Hunt was not arrested for the alleged June attack at an Ohio resort and does not appear to be facing any charges. It’s unclear when the NFL began its investigation.
At the time of the alleged incident, sources told TMZ, Hunt was staying at the Bay Lodging Resort in Put-in-Bay when he got into a verbal fight with another guest. The alleged victim told the gossip site that he was not seriously injured.
The alleged punch, reported almost immediately, gained little attention during the offseason.
That was months after Hunt got into an altercation with a woman in a Cleveland hotel, during which he shoved her and then kicked her while she was still on the ground.
Video of the brutal attack was posted on TMZ Friday, which the NFL claimed was the first time it had seen evidence of the fight; Cleveland police said they made no attempt to acquire the video because it was not a felony case and the hotel would only turn the tape over to police.
The Chiefs admitted they knew about the incident earlier, but decided to release Hunt only after confirmation that he had lied.
“Earlier this year, we were made aware of an incident involving running back Kareem Hunt. At that time, the National Football League and law enforcement initiated investigations into the issue,” the team said in a statement Friday.
“As part of our internal discussions with Kareem, several members of our management team spoke directly to him. Kareem was not truthful in those discussions. The video released today confirms that fact. We are releasing Kareem immediately.”
The move was made about half an hour after the league placed Hunt on the Commissioner Exempt List, which means he cannot practice, play or attend games. The Chiefs beat the Raiders, 4033, Sunday in Oakland without Hunt, but he was on their minds.
“We had a close relationship,” QB Patrick Mahomes said after he threw four TD passes in the Chiefs’ victory.
“I saw the stuff that happened. We don't do those things. At the same time I focused on our organization, the Chiefs. I know we have to keep moving forward and going out there to win football games if we want to have success this season.”
During a live interview with ESPN Sunday, Hunt said he “made a poor decision” at the end of a “long night.”
“It was just a disagreement. I honestly wanted her just to leave,” he said. “That's not an excuse. I'm not that person in that video.”
As part of its investigation into the hotel attack, the NFL reportedly reached out to the victim, who never responded, but did not make any attempt to speak to Hunt.
Investigators have also found enough evidence regarding the alleged June punch to add more punishment to Hunt's sentence, according to the NFL Network.
Hunt is expected to sit out at least six games for violation of the league's personal conduct policy, but his suspension will not begin until he is removed from the Exempt List. Cut with five games left, Hunt would likely miss games next season if another team picks him up.
“I've worked for this my whole entire life. I've gave everything and sacrificed so much for this,” he told ESPN Sunday. “If I get another shot at this, the team won't regret it.”