BROWN GETS GROUNDED
Kicker not on flight to London Mara knew about incident at Pro Bowl with wife, kids
Josh Brown practiced with the Giants on Thursday, but it’s possible the kicker never will wear the uniform again. One day after the release of documents in which Brown described himself as a serial abuser and “sexual deviant” who viewed his ex-wife as his “slave,” the Giants decided he would not travel with the team to London for Sunday’s game against the Rams, as they review the new revelations about Brown’s admitted history of domestic abuse. Brown, who was unavailable for comment, went through normal kicking duties at practice and had packed luggage sitting in front of his locker, preparing to fly abroad with the team Thursday night.
Giants co-owner John Mara said a determination on Brown’s future with the team wouldn’t be made until more information about the incidents were gathered.
The Giants signed Brown to a two-year, $4 million deal in the offseason and were aware of the allegations at the time, but claim they hadn’t seen any of the new information prior to Wednesday’s release by the King County (Wash.) Sheriff’s Office, in which Brown wrote he was “a liar for most of my life,” also admitting, “I have abused my wife.”
In emails and counseling documents, Brown said he had been abusing women since the age of 7 and “objectified women and never really worries about the pain and hurt” he caused, while he “viewed [himself] as God basically.”
“What he wrote down was brutally honest, but still very disturbing,” Mara said on WFAN. “He’s admitted to us he’s abused his wife in the past. I think what’s a little unclear is the extent of that. We certainly had enough to make him inactive this week is the right course of action.
“What happens now, I’m just not sure. I think it’s too early to tell that. Right now we want to accumulate as much information as we can and we’ll make that determination at the appropriate time.”
The NFL released a statement announcing it will reopen its investigation into Brown’s case. The league initially suspended the kicker for one game rather than the baseline six games the NFL is supposed to dole out for a first domestic-violence offense, citing insufficient information.
“NFL investigators made repeated attempts — both orally and in writing — to obtain any and all evidence relevant information in this case from the King County Sheriff’s Office,” the statement read. “Each of those requests was denied and the Sheriff’s Office declined to provide any of the requested information, which ultimately limited our ability to fully investigate this matter.”
Mara, who spoke with Brown several times Thursday, said the team never made an effort to speak with his ex-wife, Molly, and claimed the NFL handled most of the initial investigation.
“What I’ve learned over the past few years, you don’t always have all the information. Not everyone cooperates,” Mara said. “I’m still comfortable with that decision.”
However, Mara said Brown, 37, had previously admitted a history of domestic abuse, and the owner was aware of an incident at this year’s Pro Bowl, when Molly allegedly had to switch hotel rooms with her children to hide from Brown.
“I think he’s attempted to be honest with us,” Mara said. “This young man’s attempt to rehabilitate himself, which I believe he is still trying to do. We knew he has been in counseling for a couple years now and he has been diligent about it and making a good faith effort to rehabilitate himself. We felt there is a presumption of innocence.”
Mara said he didn’t know how long the team’s or league’s investigation would take, speculating Brown could be put on the commissioner’s exempt list and removed from the 53-man roster.
Though Brown won’t play Sunday, his teammates were supportive of the kicker. However, cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie struggled to reconcile the friend he knows from the admitted abuser.
“He’s like a brother,” Rodgers-Cromartie said. “He’s helped me grow a lot in terms of being a man off the field. I learned a lot from him. I definitely know the kind of man that he is.
“I know that’s not him. I know the things I’ve learned from him. I just gotta go with wwhat I know off what I know of him personally. I don’t know tthat relationship. I just know him. I know I’m behind him. I’m a guy that definitely looks up to him. I’m here for him.”
But how long will Brown be wwith the Giants?