Chiefs cut Hunt after video surfaces
Footage shows RB pushing, kicking woman in February
The Kansas City Chiefs released running back Kareem Hunt on Friday night after video surfaced that showed the NFL’S reigning rushing champion knocking over and kicking a woman in a Cleveland hotel hallway in February.
The team issued a statement shortly after the NFL had placed Hunt on its Commissioner Exemption List that said the running back lied when asked about the incident by team officials. The team said “the video today confirms that fact. We are releasing Kareem immediately.”
Hunt was at the Chiefs’ facility earlier Friday in preparation for Sunday’s trip to Oakland, but he was excused and sent home shortly after TMZ posted the video online. It shows Hunt being restrained several times by friends before pushing a woman to the ground, where he proceeds to kick her.
Police were called to the scene during the Feb. 10 incident. No charges were filed. The police did not respond to several requests for comment Friday night.
“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 Chiefs said. “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 Chiefs and the NFL have been aware of Hunt’s incident since it occurred, but much like the case involving former Ravens running back Ray Rice, the shocking video brought a new dimension to the case.
While no charges were filed from the altercation, two police reports were created.
Hunt is listed as the suspect in one of them and a woman, Abigail Ottinger, is the suspect in the other one.
Hunt also was involved in a June incident, according to TMZ, in which he allegedly punched a man at an Ohio resort. The man Hunt struck declined to press charges. Jets: Quarterback Sam Darnold is questionable, while Josh Mccown was a full participant at practice Friday after being limited during the week. Coach Todd Bowles says Friday he has decided who will start against the Titans, but will not reveal that until before the game.
49ers: Will be without receivers Marquise Goodwin (family issue) and Pierre Garcon (knee). Bears: Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky was listed as doubtful and likely will miss his second straight game because of a right shoulder injury when the NFC North leaders visit the New York Giants on Sunday.
Chargers: Running back Melvin Gordon (knee) and linebacker Brandon Mebane (family issue) have been ruled out for Sunday night’s key AFC showdown in Pittsburgh. raiders: Signed free agent cornerback Montrel Meander and placed cornerback Leon Hall on injured reserve. redskins: Senior vice president of player personnel Doug Williams has apologized for remarks he made in a radio interview defending the team’s decision to claim Reuben Foster off waivers. The Redskins were the only team to put in a claim for Foster after the San Francisco 49ers released him following a domestic violence arrest over the weekend. In an interview with a Washington radio station Wednesday, Williams said the Redskins were willing to take the public relations “beat up” for signing Foster and added, “We’ve got people who are in high, high, high, high places that have done far worse.” After practice Friday, Williams issued an apology to the organization, his wife, mother, sister and six daughters, saying, “Never in my life have I said anything so insensitive.” Williams did not take any questions. titans: Cornerback Malcolm Butler has been cleared from the NFL’S concussion protocol and is expected to play Sunday when the Titans play host to the New York Jets.