Giants Kicker Josh Brown Talks About Domestic Violence Arrest
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) — New York Giants kicker Josh Brown says an arrest on a domestic violence charge in May 2015 led to his one-game suspension by the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy.
Speaking after practice Thursday, the 37-year-old Brown said the woman whose wrist he grabbed in Woodinville, Wash. during a disagreement was his wife. He said the couple has since divorced.
Brown said the case was dismissed by the King County prosecutor's office five days after his arrest for fourth-degree domestic violence.
A spokesman for the prosecutor said in an email to The Associated Press that no charge was filed because of insufficient evidence.
"It's not something that you want, and like I said, my main concern is my kids," Brown 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."
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 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, Brown 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 coahc Ben McAdoo said he was informed about Brown's arrest after being named coach in January. The two have spoken about it.
"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."
Brown said the incident with his former wife was a momentary thing.
"A charge was not filed in the case," Dan Donohoe, a spokesman for the Kings County prosecutor's office said in an email. "There was a thorough investigation and review of the case, but there was insufficient evidence to prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt."
Brown will miss the Giants' season opener at Dallas.
"I'm going to spend it with my daughter," he said. "I'm going to go home and take her to school and be a dad and do the things that I need to do, that I get the opportunity to do because of this. Take that as an opportunity I've never had as a player, to take my daughter to school on the first day. I'm looking forward to that."
Free agent kicker Tom Obarski was signed by the Giants in January and has been in training camp. McAdoo said he will get most of the work when the Giants face the Bills in Buffalo on Saturday.
"He seemed steady," McAdoo said. "I like the fact that he is going to have an opportunity, a golden opportunity, to make an impact for himself and this organization."
Quarterback Eli Manning said he hopes the Giants can get along for a week without Brown, who was 30-of-32 on field goals last season.
"Hopefully we don't have to settle for field goals and we can score touchdowns," he said.
NOTES: WR Victor Cruz (groin) and G Justin Pugh (shoulder) are making progress, McAdoo said. ...The team will have a 50-minute speed practice on Friday before heading to Buffalo. ... Manning and WR Odell Beckham Jr. will make their preseason debuts Saturday.
