Lions release Sutton after domestic violence warrant
The Detroit Lions released Cameron Sutton on Thursday as authorities continue to search for the defensive back to serve a domestic violence warrant in Florida.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, which includes Tampa, asked for help in finding Sutton, a seventhyear pro who just finished his first season with the Lions and helped them reach the NFC championship game for the first time in 32 years.
The warrant is for domestic battery by strangulation, a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Sutton may be driving a Jeep Grand Wagoneer with a Florida license plate, the sheriff ’s office said.
The department responded to a call about domestic violence in progress involving the 29-year-old Sutton and a female around 5 a.m. on March 7, according to a Detroit Free Press report. Authorities issued the warrant based on the evidence they found and suspect that Sutton has fled Tampa, the newspaper reported.
The Lions signed Sutton to a $33-million, three-year contract a little more than a year ago, targeting him as a key player to acquire last offseason. He helped the franchise win a division title for the first time in three decades along with two playoff games in one postseason for the first time since 1957.
Sutton started all 17 regular-season games, making a career-high 65 tackles with one interception, and all three playoff games.
A third man was charged with second-degree murder in connection with the shooting during Kansas City’s Super Bowl rally that killed a woman and injured nearly two dozen others.