Reports: Ex-Wife Told Cops Giants' Brown Was Violent With Her Over 20 Times

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The ex-wife of Josh Brown told police the Giants kicker had become physically violent with her more than 20 times, including once when she was pregnant, according to reports.

The NFL has suspended Brown for the Giants' season opener for violating the league's personal conduct policy. The suspension stems from Brown's May 22, 2015, arrest in Woodinville, Washington, on a fourth-degree domestic violence charge. The prosecutor's office did not proceed with the case because it said there was insufficient evidence. Brown and his wife, Molly, were still married at the time of the alleged incident.

Josh Brown, 37, grabbed Molly Brown's wrist while she picking up a phone, causing "redness" and a small cut, police said, according to the New York Post.

According to an incident report, she told police her husband had gotten physical with her more than 20 times and that she previously obtained an order of protection against him -- which she dropped when their relationship appeared to be improving. Molly Brown said the violence began when she was pregnant with the couple's daughter in 2009, the New York Daily News reported. She claims Josh Brown grabbed her shoulders and pushed her into a door.

In another incident, the football player pushed Molly Brown into a large bedroom mirror, threw her on the floor, jumped on top of her and held her face down on the carpet, she reportedly told police. She said she felt pain in her arm and elbow for months afterward.

Molly Brown also claimed Josh Brown threatened to kill her four or five times. She said she initially would call neighbors to help calm down her husband, but that she eventually worked up the courage to call police -- which she estimated she had done 10 times before Josh Brown was arrested.

According to multiple reports, Molly Brown also called 911 the night before the Pro Bowl kicker's arrest because he "got in my son's face" during an argument. The 16-year-old boy was Josh Brown's stepson.

The NFL said in a statement Friday that Molly Brown turned down multiple requests to speak to the league about her allegations of being the victim of repeated domestic violence.

The league said it conducted a 10-month investigation into the circumstances surrounding Josh Brown's arrest. In the course of the investigation, the league said its investigators became aware that his wife had filed a statement with the county court alleging previous altercations between the spouses.

TMZ reported that the local authorities also did not provide some information the NFL requested.

Josh Brown spoke with reporters about his arrest and suspension Thursday -- before the other allegations had surfaced in the media.

"It's not something that you want, and like I said, my main concern is my kids," he said. "That's the last thing you ever want to be on the internet, that they would read or their friends would read and the way that they would be approached at school and how they're looked upon. Is it good? No, it's not."

Josh Brown said he told the Giants immediately after his arrest, and the team informed the league.

He was notified of his suspension in June. He appealed because he was not charged, but it was rejected. The league announced the suspension Wednesday.

"We've exhausted everything that the NFL allows," said Josh Brown, who didn't know why the league took so long to make its decision. "We're not going to do anything else. We'll take it for what it is, take the one game and move on."

Still, Josh Brown said he didn't agree with either the suspension or the power of commissioner Roger Goodell.

"I'm uncomfortable with it, but I just want to kick field goals," said the 14-year veteran who scored a career-high 134 points last season. "That's really what it comes down to. I'm not the power. I'm just here to do this job and help this team in every way that I can, and that's what I've done since I've been here for four years."

Giants coach Ben McAdoo said he was informed about Josh Brown's arrest after being named coach in January. The two have spoken about it.

Shortly after he was hired, McAdoo told the Daily News that domestic violence is something he would not tolerate. He insisted Thursday his stance has not changed.

"We support the league office in their decision and their stance on personal conduct," McAdoo said. "I do support Josh as a man, a father and a player. We treat these situations on a case-by-case basis."

Josh Brown has been the Giants' kicker for the past three years and was selected to the Pro Bowl last season, when he was 30-of-32 on field goals and 44-of-45 on extra points. He signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Giants in April.

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