Patriots player Jabrill Peppers has been suspended from all games and team practices by the NFL following his arrest on allegations of domestic violence, specifically for allegedly strangling his girlfriend and pushing her down a flight of stairs.
Jabrill Peppers was taken into custody on Saturday morning following allegations that he strangled and assaulted his on-again, off-again girlfriend, with the use of a deadly weapon. Law enforcement officers reportedly discovered cocaine in his wallet during the arrest.
According to a police report obtained by Newsafro.com, the alleged incident occurred around 4 a.m., when Peppers’ girlfriend claimed that he became violent after she received a phone call during an intimate encounter, which he reportedly “didn’t like.”
In response to the serious allegations, Jabrill Peppers, 29, has been placed on the NFL commissioner’s exempt list, barring him from participating in games or practices with the Patriots.
Peppers, the team’s starting safety, is expected to face multiple charges, including assault and battery, assault and battery with a deadly weapon, strangulation, and possession of a Class B substance, believed to be cocaine by law enforcement.
Despite these charges, Peppers maintains that he possesses video evidence that will fully exonerate him. He was seen publicly for the first time since his arrest on Monday, leaving his arraignment at Quincy District Court. His attorney has asserted that they have evidence that contradicts the alleged victim’s account.
When questioned about the existence of video evidence, Peppers affirmed, “Yes, and other evidence as well.”
Peppers recently celebrated his 29th birthday on Friday, just hours prior to his arrest, and had participated in the first four games of the Patriots’ current season.
He was drafted in the first round by the Cleveland Browns in 2017 after an impressive collegiate career at the University of Michigan. In 2019, he was acquired by the New York Giants, where he played for three seasons before joining the Patriots. Since his arrival, Peppers has established himself as one of the team’s top players and a regular starter.
In July of this year, he signed a new three-year, $30 million contract with the Patriots. Following the incident leading to his arrest, the Patriots released a statement, acknowledging their awareness of the situation involving Jabrill Peppers and indicated that police are currently investigating. The team stated, “We will have no further comment at this time.”
In a statement to reporters, Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo remarked, “He called me that morning. I knew what was going on.
“We’ve informed the NFL of the situation, and we are still in the process of gathering information. I don’t think anyone knows the facts at this point. It’s a process.”
Peppers did not participate in Sunday’s loss to the Miami Dolphins due to a shoulder injury, and his future status with the team remains uncertain.
He is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday in Quincy District Court; however, no additional details regarding the proceedings have been disclosed at this time.
