Suspension for Giants kicker Josh Brown stems from 2015 domestic violence charge

ByJordan Raanan ESPN logo
Friday, August 19, 2016

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Giants kicker Josh Brown on Thursday confirmed that his one-game suspension for violating the NFL's conduct policy stems from a domestic violence charge in 2015 after an incident with his now ex-wife.

"Like everybody is aware of, this moment happened over a year ago. The case was dropped five days after the moment happened," Brown said. "We've moved forward with our lives at this point. While I'm not OK with the decision, I have to respect it. So I look forward to a 15-game season and moving forward with my teammates."

Brown will miss theseason opener against the Dallas Cowboyson Sept. 11.

NJ Advance Media obtained a copy of the police report, which said Brown allegedly grabbed the his ex-wife's wrist while she was picking up the phone during a quarrel. She called 911, alleged an assault and had "redness" and "a small cut, possibly from a fingernail," according to police.

A spokesman for the prosecutor said in an email to The Associated Press that no charge was filed because of insufficient evidence.

Brown, 37, said he informed the Giants of the charge the day of the incident, and a team spokesman confirmed they knew of the incident.

The Giants re-signed Brown, who was named to the Pro Bowl last season after making a career-best 94 percent of his field-goal attempts, to a two-year, $4 million deal in the offseason. General manager JerryReese declined comment.

"I do support the league office in their decision and their stance on personal conduct," said coach Ben McAdoo, who added that he did not know about the incident until after he took the job in January. "I do support Josh as a man, as a father and as a player. We treat these situations on a case-by-case basis."

McAdoo was firm in an interview with The New York Post earlier this year about what he wouldn't tolerate as a head coach.

"Domestic violence is something that we're all cracking down on in this league. That's something that's important to us as an organization, important to me as a man, and important to me as a coach," McAdoo said in the interview.

The league considers Brown's case a domestic violence issue.

"What this case shows is that domestic violence is an incredibly complex and complicated issue," NFL vice president of social responsibility Anna Isaacson said.

Brown, who knew the ban was a realistic possibility in June, said he exhausted all avenues to have the suspension dropped.

ESPN Staff Writer Jane McManus contributed to this report.