Washington’s NFL team released running back Derrius Guice on Friday night, less than two hours after his arrest for domestic violence in Loudoun County.
Washington wasted little time in releasing Guice, saying in a statement he learned of a domestic violence charge on Thursday. The team alerted the league and met with Guice to let him know he was exempt from all team activities on Friday.
The team’s statement then read: “This afternoon we learned that there were several charges against Derrius. After considering the nature of these charges and following internal discussions, we decided to release Derrius immediately. “
According to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, the charges stemmed from three separate incidents related to domestic violence earlier this year – on February 14, March 13 and April 17 at his home in Ashburn, Virginia. The incidents were first reported to Montgomery Police. Department of Maryland, where the victim lives. The sheriff’s office was made aware of the allegations on July 22. They investigated the incident in coordination with the Montgomery County Police Department. Guice was released on an uninsured bond of $ 10,000.
Guice was charged with one count of strangulation as well as three counts of assault and assault and battery. He was also charged with one count of destruction of property. Guice surrendered at the end of Friday afternoon; he was handcuffed before entering the Loudoun adult detention center.
Ahead of the 2018 NFL Draft, anonymous reports questioned Guice’s character. Many in his community, from high school to college coaches, said these fears were misplaced. While some teams pulled him off the board, whether through injury or character issues, Washington drafted him in the second round.
During his two seasons here, there have been concerns or questions about his level of maturity, according to multiple sources over that time. Most of this immaturity, however, stemmed from his approach to various team situations such as medical treatment.
Guice has become a fan favorite for his off-field personality and potential. Coaches loved his ability to assist in all three tries as he could not only catch the ball but also help with protection. As a rookie he was one of the stars of the camp until he tore his left ACL in the first preseason game.
Last season, Guice opened the season as a starting running back. But he tore the meniscus in his right knee and missed eight games. He then tore his medial collateral ligament in a Dec.8 loss at Green Bay and did not play anymore. He’s never touched the ball more than 10 times in a game, but he averaged 5.83 yards on 42 carries.
This season, Washington made sure to add depth to the running back. The team still have Adrian Peterson, but they’ve signed third fullback JD McKissic as well as Peyton Barber, who looks more like Peterson as an early return. Washington also drafted Antonio Gibson, who will also line up for receiver in some lineups. Bryce Love, who the team drafted in the fourth round in 2019, was also cleared to train this summer and, if he is back where he was at Stanford, would provide the same kind of pop as the team. hoped to get from Guice.
The Washington franchise came under fire last month when The Washington Post detailed allegations of sexual harassment against five former employees. New coach Ron Rivera has been tasked with improving the culture in Washington, making Guice’s release a necessary decision. Guice will be represented by attorney Peter Greenspun, who formerly represented broadcaster Marv Albert.
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