NFL All-Pro defensive back Richard Sherman was booked into a Washington state correctional facility on Wednesday and is under investigation in a domestic violence case, multiple news outlets reported.
A Redmond Police Department (RPD) spokesperson told ESPN that officers responded to a 911 call early Wednesday morning of a reported male family member trying to forcibly enter a residence.
When officers arrived at the residence, the suspect reportedly fought with police before being transported to a nearby medical facility for further treatment, according to ESPN.
When he was medically cleared, the individual was taken to a neighboring correctional facility to be booked on the felony charge of burglary domestic violence, ESPN reported.
Sherman’s wife, Ashley Moss, told The Seattle Times that her husband “didn’t harm anybody.”
“My kids were not harmed in the incident. He’s a good person and this is not his character,” she said. “We’re doing all right, just trying to get him out. I want people to know no one was injured.”
A Washington State Police (WSP) spokesperson told ESPN that they’re also investigating Sherman for a hit and run accident that happened earlier in the morning, sharing that they got in touch with RPD to help identify Sherman’s blood on a search warrant.
Sherman, who has established himself as a polarizing figure on and off the field, spent his first seven years in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks, winning a Super Bowl with the team in 2014 and appearing in the big game again with his recent team the San Francisco 49ers in 2020.
NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy told The Hill that the league will investigate Sherman’s incident, implying if they find a violation of their personal conduct policy Sherman will face further discipline.
“Free agents are eligible to sign with any team. The league investigates any incident involving law enforcement and if there is a violation of the personal conduct policy the player would be facing discipline,” the NFL said in a statement.
The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), where Sherman serves as the union’s vice president, also issued a statement saying it is monitoring the situation.
“We were made aware of an arrest last night of one of our player leaders for an alleged domestic violence incident and have activated our domestic violence crisis protocol for the protection and support of everyone involved,” NFLPA said.
An RPD spokesperson said that Sherman, 33, was denied bail, but stated it is part of a standard procedure for domestic violence suspects until they have their court dates, ESPN noted.
The Hill has reached out to Washington State Police and the Redmond Police Department for comment.
Updated: 6:30 p.m.