The NFL has placed New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers on the commissioner exempt list following his arrest on charges that include strangulation and drug possession. Being on the exempt list means Peppers is not allowed to practice or attend games while the case is ongoing. This decision follows Peppers’ not-guilty plea in Quincy District Court on Monday after his arrest on Saturday by Braintree, Massachusetts police.
According to police, Peppers was arrested after officers responded to a disturbance at a residence where a woman claimed he assaulted her. The charges against Peppers include assault and battery, strangulation, and possession of a Class B substance, which police identified as cocaine.
The woman involved in the incident told police that Peppers hit her, choked her multiple times, and forced her outside. Police said Peppers answered the door calmly and was arrested without any further issues. Officers also found a bag of white powder that tested positive for cocaine at the scene.
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo addressed the situation, condemning any form of domestic violence but also stressing the importance of due process. He said that Peppers’ placement on the exempt list would allow time for more information to come to light. Mayo, who is also a father, emphasized the seriousness of the allegations while expressing hope that they are not true. Peppers, a team captain in his eighth NFL season, has been with the Patriots for three years and is an integral part of the team.
Peppers’ lawyer, Marc Brofsky, argued in court that the evidence casts doubt on the allegations, referencing video evidence in Peppers’ defense. He confirmed that Peppers agreed not to have any contact with the woman and that his client was cooperating with the investigation. Peppers was released on $2,500 bail and ordered to stay away from the woman. His next court appearance is scheduled for November 22, though he is not required to attend.
The Patriots’ next game is scheduled for Sunday at home against the Houston Texans. However, with Peppers on the exempt list, he will not be participating. The team will be waiting for more developments in the case as the legal process unfolds.
