6 Active NFL Players With Criminal Records
Published February 5, 2024
Pro-sport athletes are no strangers to arrests. A meme had been going around the internet saying that there are 871 NFL players with criminal records. Surprisingly, it’s a high percentage of NFL players with criminal records.
Athletes often bask in the spotlight for their exceptional on-field performances. This happens in the high-stakes realm of professional sports. However, a darker narrative unfolds behind the scenes as some brush with the law, tarnishing their reputations.
According to USA Today’s database, there have been over 800 arrests and criminal allegations in the NFL since 2000. In this article, we’ll explore the stark contrast between the glamor of the game and the gritty reality of legal troubles.
Active NFL Players With Criminal Records
Let’s take a closer look at the current NFL players with criminal records you probably didn’t know about.
1. Chris Lammons
Current Team: Indianapolis Colts
Crime: Battery in alleged assault
Chris Lammons faced legal trouble in 2019. He was charged with battery, resulting in serious harm, following an alleged assault in Las Vegas. Lammons took responsibility for his actions, pleading guilty to the charges.
As part of his sentence, he was placed on probation and required to perform community service and attend anger management classes. Despite this unfortunate incident, Lammons has maintained his football career and remains active.
2. Nate Hobbs
Current Team: Las Vegas Raiders
Crime: DUI
In December 2021, Nate Hobbs, a cornerback for the Las Vegas Raiders, was charged with DUI. He was found asleep at the wheel of his car in a parking garage exit ramp. Hobbs took full responsibility for his actions, pleading guilty to the charges. He was sentenced to probation, community service, and mandatory alcohol education classes.
3. Geno Smith
Current Team: Seattle Seahawks
Crime: DUI
In January 2022, Geno Smith was apprehended on suspicion of DUI in King County, Washington. This ultimately led to his release from the team. Despite the adversity, Geno Smith remains resolute in his determination to redeem himself and make a return to the sport.
4. Willie Gay Jr.
Current Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Crime: Criminal property damage
A linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs, Willie Gay, was arrested in March 2022. He received a misdemeanor criminal property damage charge, amounting to less than $1,000. Although the details of the incident haven’t been disclosed, it has sparked speculation about his future with the team.
5. Alvin Kamara
Current Team: New Orleans Saints
Crime: Battery resulting in substantial bodily harm
In an unfortunate incident in 2017, Alvin Kamara was arrested and charged with felony battery. The charge was for causing substantial bodily harm. As part of his sentence, he received probation and community service and was required to attend anger management classes.
The incident has not hindered Kamara’s success in football. He continues to stand out as a star player for the Saints, showcasing his exceptional skills on the field.
6. Duron Harmon
Current Team: Atlanta Falcons
Crime: Drug-related
In March 2018, Duron Harmon was arrested in Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaria International Airport. Airport officers found that he had with him:
- 58 grams of marijuana stuffed inside a can of iced tea
- One THC candy
- Four glass containers with about 4.3 grams of compressed marijuana
Harmon was temporarily detained at the airport but was later sent back to the US.
7. Chris McCain
Current Team: Free agent
Crime: Battery
Chris McCain was about to get a breakthrough in his NFL career when a battery scandal hit him. The player was accused of spitting on a woman and forcefully grabbing her neck in an altercation in Los Angeles on January 7, 2018.
He tried to deny all allegations at first. But he later pleaded no contest to the charges and spent seven days in jail. He was also required to attend anger management classes.
8. Kevin Givens
Current team: San Francisco 49ers
Crime: Assault
The San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle allegedly assaulted a man in a Baltimore Hotel last February. As a result, he was charged with second-degree assault. The details of the incident were unclear.
According to court documents, Givens was out with the victim and his girlfriend. The victim said something that made him angry. When they returned to the hotel, Givens attacked his victim in the hotel’s fifth-floor hallway. The victim was able to run away to a nearby hotel, where another friend picked him up and took him to the hospital.
The charge was dropped last June, and Givens is now set to enter his third NFL season.
9. Mario Edwards
Current Team: Chicago Bears
Crime: Domestic Violence
On October 18, 2020, police officers responded to a report of a woman hitting a man and scratching his forehead. The man turned out to be Mario Edwards, Chicago Bears’ defensive lineman.
As per the police investigation, the two had an altercation, which led to the police report. The Mecklenburg County District Attorney decided to file criminal charges against Edwards. While the woman he had an altercation with filed a domestic violence order of protection.
According to TMZ, the woman claimed to have a romantic relationship with Edwards. In the court documents, she alleged that Edwards became violent towards her when she turned down his sexual advances that night. She claimed to have taken out her phone and recorded Edwards yelling at her. But this seemed to have further angered him, and he allegedly grabbed her by the arm and dragged her to the door. He then reportedly continued his assault on the elevators and struck her arm.
The woman said that after the incident, she had to be hospitalized for her injuries. She also claimed that this is not a one-time thing, as Edwards has a history of being violent with her.
In the police report, both Edwards and the girl were listed as victims. In March 2021, Edwards received a criminal summons for a misdemeanor assault on a woman. This means he has to go before the judge, but no date has been set yet.
10. Tyler Boyd
Current Team: Cincinnati Bengals
Crime: DUI, drug-related
Merely over a year after the Bengals signed Boyd to a four-year contract, the wide receiver was embroiled in a DUI and drug-related controversy.
In July 2017, the 22-year-old Boyd lent his car to a friend who crashed it. Police who responded to the scene found an open bottle of cognac, an unopened bottle of vodka, two vape pens, and several vape cartridges. Boyd admitted that he owns one of the vape pens. As a result, he was charged with illegal drug possession and several misdemeanor offenses.
11. Lorenzo Mauldin
Current Team: Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Crime: Assault
Linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin was into his third season in April 2017 when he was charged with assaulting a man at a New York nightclub. The victim said he spilled champagne on Mauldin, which led to an altercation. Mauldin allegedly punched him in the face. He subsequently filed a civil lawsuit against Mauldin, claiming he suffered multiple facial fractures as a result of the attack.
In November of that same year, the charges were dropped as the Manhattan District Attorney declined to prosecute. As per the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement, the league still has the right to discipline the linebacker as part of its personal conduct policy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Active NFL Players With Criminal Records
1. Which NFL team has the most players with criminal records?
Since 2000, franchise players have committed 55 registered offenses. The Minnesota Vikings currently hold the unfortunate distinction of being the NFL’s team with the highest record of misconduct.
2. What types of crimes are most commonly committed by NFL players?
When it comes to the types of crimes commonly committed by NFL players, the USA Today database provides comprehensive tracking of NFL player arrests. The most prevalent offenses include DUI, drug offenses, domestic violence, assault, and battery.
3. Are there any active NFL players who have been arrested multiple times?
Yes, many NFL players have faced multiple arrests for a range of criminal offenses.
The Off-Field Realities Of NFL Players
After closely examining the off-field realities of these NFL players with criminal records, it’s clear that professional sports are not exempt from human behavior’s complexities. The stories of drug-related incidents, allegations of battery, and charges of assault, serve as a stark reminder. They show that the pursuit of athletic glory often intertwines with personal challenges and lapses in judgment.
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About The Author
Meet Rei Bayucca, an accomplished writer with a passion for exploring a wide range of industries. Through her skilled and thoughtful writing, Rei aims to inspire and educate readers with content that stimulates the mind.
