NFL: Chad Wheeler released from Seahawks amid severe domestic violence allegations
Chad Wheeler, the 27-year-old offensive lineman for the Seattle Seahawks was released from that position by the team after being arrested in Washington State last week on charges of felony domestic violence. The Seahawks confirmed that Wheeler is no longer with the team and is now a free agent.
“The Seahawks are saddened by the details emerging against Chad Wheeler and strongly condemn this act of domestic violence,” the team said. “Our thoughts and support are with the victim. Chad is a free agent and no longer with the team.”
The violence was reported to the Kent Police Department in Seattle on Friday night when they received a 911 call from a friend of Wheeler’s alleged victim who was reportedly in dire peril inside Wheeler’s home in Kent, Washington. CNN reported prosecutors in the case against Wheeler as saying that “(Wheeler) viciously attacked the victim in her bedroom, strangling her at times with both hands.” Wheeler is also accused of strangling the victim twice until she lost consciousness.
The victim texted friends, her family and Wheeler’s father to call 911, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and police officers who arrived forced entry after hearing her screaming inside. An officer attempted to use a Taser to subdue Wheeler “with little effect.” ~ CNN
Kent Police had to force their way into Wheeler’s home where he was locked inside with his girlfriend. Once inside, the cops found the woman with her face “covered in blood” and crying out in pain while holding her left arm tight to her body.
Officers arrested Wheeler, who resisted officers and said “I don’t beat women!” after eventually being detained, according to MSN.
Wheeler allegedly strangled the woman with both hands but removed one at one point to cover her mouth and nose to impair her breathing, the Kent police report stated. He also allegedly held her down when she began fighting back and the woman lost consciousness for an unknown period of time, according to the report.
When she woke up, she heard Wheeler say “Wow, you’re alive?” She then ran to the bathroom, the report said. ~ MSN
Wheeler had a Monday morning court appearance and had his bail set at $400,000. The judge ordered that he should have no contact with his victim. After paying bail, he was released Tuesday morning.
Following his release, Wheeler tweeted that he is, “deeply sorry for the pain and suffering that I have caused” to his partner.
This latest incident was not Wheeler’s first run-in with the law:
In 2015, Los Angeles police officers were called to an incident involving Wheeler after the lineman was allegedly punching walls and windows, which injured his hands. Wheeler got into an altercation with officers and was hit with bean bag rounds … ~ Yahoo! News
Wheeler is currently looking at charges of first-degree domestic violence assault, domestic violence unlawful imprisonment and resisting arrest. He’s scheduled for arraignment on February 9 at which time he’ll be expected to enter a plea relating to those charges
During 2020, Wheeler appeared in five games with the Seahawks. From 2017 through the 2019 season, he played with the New York Giants.
For more on the story, see the videos accompanying this article.
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~ Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter
