Former NFL defensive end and ESPN/Fox employee Marcellus Wiley has addressed the allegation of domestic battery that resulted in his arrest on July 4.
Wiley posted a statement on Twitter denying the accusation.
“I completely and unequivocally deny these allegations, and I’m certain the truth will prevail,” Wiley said. “As you know, I’m usually the first to break down the truth and separate facts from fiction. But because this is now a legal matter — and because my greatest responsibility is protecting my babies, who have already been impacted — I have to handle this differently. When I can speak freely, I absolutely will. Until then, thank you for your patience, your prayers, and for continuing to stand with me.”
Wiley’s wife claims that, on July 3, he “used one finger to sternly and intentionally poke her in the cheek.” She also claimed he threatened to kill her.
Wiley denied the allegation when interviewed by deputies. He was released from custody on $1,000 cash bond on Sunday night.
A second-round pick of the Bills in 1997, Wiley spent a decade in the NFL. He played for the Bills, Chargers, Cowboys, and Jaguars.
On Sunday morning, TMZ reported that former NFL defensive end and ESPN and Fox employee Marcellus Wiley was arrested on July 4 for alleged domestic battery.
Per the Public Information Office of the Orange County (Florida) Corrections Department, Wiley was released from custody at 8:43 p.m. ET on Sunday, after posting a cash bond of $1,000.
PFT has obtained the Arrest Affidavit, which reveals that deputies responded to the World Marriott in Orlando on July 4 at 4:47 p.m. ET.
The alleged victim is Wiley’s wife. She asked deputies to “remove her husband from their shared hotel room due to her being afraid of him.” She said that Wiley “told [her] he was going to kill her and [she] was afraid of his behavior.”
Asked to elaborate, she said “on the previous morning Marcellus had put his hands on her,” by using “one finger to sternly and intentionally poke her in the cheek,” and that their seven-year-old daughter witnessed the incident. (Their daughter told deputies she did not see Marcellus touch her mother but did hear them arguing.)
The deputy who prepared the affidavit noticed no “visible injuries” and Wiley’s wife did not request medical attention.
Wiley’s wife said that Wiley “had an unreported history of violence toward her and she was planning to divorce him when they returned home to California.”
When interviewed by deputies, Wiley denied any physical altercation with his wife. He said he believes she made the report “due to her intention to divorce him.”
The deputies concluded that Wiley “did intentionally touch [his wife] against her will,” and that probable cause exists to charge [Wiley] with battery (domestic violence).”
The law regarding criminal battery is very broad. Florida law, like the law of many states, provides that "[t]he offense of battery occurs when a person . . . [a]ctually and intentionally touches or strikes another person against the will of the other.”
Wiley spent 10 years in the NFL, playing for the Bills, Chargers, Cowboys, and Jaguars. He worked for ESPN through 2018, and he then worked at Fox Sports until 2022.
When we last mentioned Marcellus Wiley, he was angrily denying allegations of sexual assault, given the potential impact it will have when his son Googles his name.
Via TMZ, Wiley has been arrested for alleged domestic battery in Florida. Per the report, Wiley was booked into the Orange County jail on July 4.
He was still in custody when the TMZ item was posted at 8:58 a.m. ET on Sunday. Records show, per the report, that Wiley is being held for now without bond.
Details regarding the incident that led to the arrest are not yet available.
Obviously, Wiley is innocent until proven guilty. He’s entitled to all of the various Constitutional protections. Regardless, something happened to result in his arrest. He’ll surely have a response to the charge — unless his lawyer tells him to say nothing about it.
Wiley spent 10 years in the NFL, playing for the Bills, Chargers, Cowboys, and Jaguars. He worked for ESPN through 2018, and he then worked at Fox Sports until 2022.
Cornerback Donte Jackson has nine interceptions and 20 passes defensed over the past two seasons. His 2024 season with the Steelers got him a two-year, $13 million deal with the Chargers.
His 2025 season with the Chargers has him wanting even more in 2026.
“Just to keep the foot on the pedal,” Jackson said, via Omar Navarro of the team website. “I feel like the last two seasons I’ve emerged, to me personally, as one of the top corners in the league. That’s just kind of how I feel, so just adding to that.”
Jackson, 30, had a Pro Bowl-caliber season even if he wasn’t rewarded with a first-all-star honor. He had a team-best 12 passes defensed last season and tied for the team lead with four interceptions.
Pro Football Focus had him with only 24 receptions, the second-fewest among cornerbacks with at least 400 coverage snaps.
Jackson, who played his first six seasons with the Panthers, insists he isn’t looking for personal accolades.
“I’m team first, so I don’t have a personal agenda,” Jackson said. “I don’t have any personal goals but to be the best teammate I could be. Just blessed to have a group of guys that share that same mindset. Nobody is selfish. Nobody has selfish goals.”
The Chargers will be back in San Diego for a couple of days this summer.
The team announced that they will hold practices open to the public at the University of San Diego on August 4 and 5. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh was the school’s head coach from 2004-2006 and the team also practiced there last summer.
Outside of those practices, the Chargers will hold training camp at their facility in El Segundo. The team will report to camp on July 28 and they will hold their first practice the next day.
That practice will be open to the public. Fans will also be welcome on July 30-31, August 1, August 3, August 6, August 8-10, and August 15-17. There will also be practices for season ticket holders on August 11 and 18.
