Chiefs release Hunt after video release
The 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 league had placed Hunt on its Commissioner Exemption List that said the running back had 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, Calif., but he was excused and sent home shortly after TMZ posted the video online.
Police were called to the scene during the Feb. 10 incident, but no charges were filed.
Domestic violence has been a major issue in the NFL in recent years, one that struck home in Kansas City in 2012 when Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher killed his girlfriend before killing himself at the team’s practice facility. Belcher was later found to have suffered from CTE.
In 2014, a video showed Ravens running back Ray Rice knocking out his thenfiancee in an elevator in an Atlantic City hotel. Rice was originally suspended for two games by Commissioner Roger Goodell, who later was heavily criticized for such a light penalty after the video was released.
Rice soon after was suspended indefinitely by the league, won an appeal, but was released by the Ravens. The three-time Pro Bowl running back never returned to the NFL.
The league then instituted a stronger domestic violence policy, but other incidents have made news, including last weekend when the 49ers cut linebacker Reuben Foster.
Hunt, who led the league in rushing as a rookie with 1,327 yards and eight touchdowns last season, reportedly was involved in a June incident in which he allegedly punched a man at an Ohio resort.
Williams apologizes: Redskins senior VP of player personnel Doug Williams 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 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.”
On Friday, Williams apologized to the organization, his wife, mother, sister and six daughters, saying, “Never in my life have I said anything so insensitive.”
Extra points: Bears QB Mitch Trubisky (shoulder) is doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Giants. He missed last week’s win over the Lions. ... CB Malcolm Butler was cleared from the concussion protocol and likely will play in the Titans’ game against the Jets.