Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay has been suspended for four games for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Gay was arrested in January in Overland Park, a Kansas City suburb, and charged with felony misdemeanor property for damages under US$1,000. His rep, Maxx Lepselter, said at the time that Gay broke a vacuum cleaner that belonged to his son’s mother during an argument in which no one was injured.
Gay accepted a diversion program in June to solve the criminal case.
There was no appeal of the penalty, so Gay will miss Sunday’s game against the Colts in Indianapolis, as well as games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Las Vegas Raiders and Buffalo Bills.
NFL rules prohibit him from interacting with the team for the first two weeks of his suspension.
The Chiefs, who parted ways with veteran Anthony Hitchens after last season, are relying heavily on Gay to help solidify the linebacker position, alongside sophomore Nick Bolton.
Gay was used as a starter in the Chiefs’ first two games of the season, against the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers, and is tied for second on the team in tackles, tackles for loss and knockdowns.
Third-round pick Leo Chenal is expected to replace Gay in the roster. The Chiefs also count on Elijah Lee, Darius Harris and Jack Cochrane as players at this position.
