Former NFL cornerback Cameron Sutton from the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers has entered a pretrial diversion program to resolve a misdemeanor battery charge in Hillsborough County, Florida. This program includes a batterers’ intervention program for a domestic violence case and mandates Sutton to undergo a mental health evaluation. Additionally, he is prohibited from possessing weapons or contacting the victim as part of the program.
Sutton, 28 years old, entered the diversion program on April 8, shortly after turning himself into the police on March 31. Law enforcement had issued a warrant for his arrest on March 7 but couldn’t locate him until the end of the month. This legal development follows a string of events, starting with the arrest warrant, which led to Sutton’s release by the Detroit Lions on March 21. The release nullified his $10.5 million guaranteed salary for the upcoming season.
Notably, the 2023 season marked Sutton’s first and only year with the Detroit Lions after spending the initial six years of his professional career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The legal proceedings in Florida have significant implications for Sutton’s future in the NFL, potentially affecting his eligibility to play depending on the outcome of the pretrial diversion program.
The situation underscores the intersection of professional sports and legal matters, highlighting the consequences athletes face both on and off the field. Sutton’s case brings attention to issues of domestic violence and the NFL’s response to such incidents, with teams often taking swift action in response to legal troubles involving their players.
