The NFL announced Saturday it would investigate new allegations of physical and verbal abuse against Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs, following the release of public records from the Hobart/Lawrence Police Department. The accusations, disclosed in a Friday night filing in response to a public records request, detail three women reporting abuse by Jacobs in incidents dating back to April 2021. The NFL stated it would review the claims as part of an ongoing investigation, while Jacobs’ legal team emphasized that prior charges had been resolved through a plea agreement.
New Allegations Surface From 2021
The newly released documents reveal that the three women came forward after learning of Jacobs’ May 2023 arrest in a domestic violence case. The police records include investigative reports, body camera footage, and dashcam video from Jacobs’ arrest. The department did not dispute the charges of misdemeanor assault and property damage, which were previously addressed in a plea deal. Jacobs’ attorneys, David Z. Chesnoff, Richard A. Schonfeld, and Clarence F. Duchac III, stated in a Saturday statement that the district attorney’s office had reviewed the claims “for months” and found them “uncorroborated, old, and not previously reported.”
Details of the 2023 Domestic Violence Incident
The case centers on an incident on May 23, 2023, when a woman alleged Jacobs assaulted her during a domestic dispute. According to the 129-page police report, the woman told officers that Jacobs “seemed like a different person” during the altercation, attempting to strangle or suffocate her twice. She claimed this was the first time he had ever done so. The report noted she described Jacobs’ behavior as “furious” and stated she believed she was about to die. A 911 call from the incident featured background screams but no direct communication with emergency operators before the line disconnected. Police were dispatched to the scene after a neighbor reported a disturbance.
Jacobs’ Legal Team Defends, Cites Plea Agreement
The woman alleged the incident began when she accused Jacobs of speaking with other women. She claimed he initially prevented her from leaving, broke her phone, and then grabbed her by the neck in the garage, throwing her to the ground and striking her head on a concrete floor. The report states she later told police she had difficulty walking, blurred vision, and “saw dots/stars” in her field of vision. The police department retained surveillance footage from the garage, which both Jacobs and the woman sought to suppress. In a letter explaining the decision to withhold the video, the department stated it would have blurred the victim’s entire body if not for the legal challenges.
From the NFL: Josh Jacobs is being removed from the commissioner exempt list and will be eligible to play for the #Packers in Week 7. The league’s review of his off-field situation continues. pic.twitter.com/q6vs3cmO2A
Police Interviews and Legal Proceedings
After the incident, the woman sought help from a neighbor, according to the report. Police interviewed two of her friends who had contacted her via phone and text in the hours following the event. Their statements aligned with her account, though neither friend was present during the altercation. Both relied on her descriptions during their conversations. Jacobs was arrested on May 26 after a vehicle he was in was stopped by police. He told officers he did not have identification and had already given his phone to his lawyers, as he planned to surrender. When he arrived at the station, he was read his Miranda rights and declined to make a statement until his attorney arrived. A brief exchange between Jacobs and the arresting officer was captured on dashcam footage.
Officer: “Depends on your attorney. He gets paid way more than me. He does his thing.”
Jacobs: “But what I’m saying is, legally, if I had called, it wouldn’t have made a difference and I’d still be the one.”
Officer: “Remember, these charges aren’t carved in stone. They’re references.”
Jacobs: “It’s just what they think. That’s fine.”
Officer: “So there’s a chance they could convict you. There’s a chance they could drop it. These go to the (district attorneys) saying this is what we have based on our initial investigation. It depends on the district attorney and the judges what they do with it.”
Contradictions in Legal and Police Accounts
Jacobs’ legal team emphasized that the district attorney’s office had conducted an “exhaustive investigation” alongside the police department, leading to two misdemeanor charges. The office reportedly reached a plea agreement with Jacobs, who has “repeatedly expressed remorse” and is complying with the terms. The team’s statement noted that the woman’s initial allegations were “not corroborated” and had not been previously reported.
League’s Response and Broader Policy Context
The NFL’s statement on Saturday said it would “review these allegations as part of the investigation that remains open.”
Uncertain Next Steps in the Investigation
The woman’s identity has not been disclosed, and the police department has not confirmed whether it will release the suppressed footage.
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