Buried in the official PFT e-mailbox on Tuesday was a statement from the Saints, released on behalf of defensive end Will Smith.
Already facing a four-game suspension for violation of the steroids policy as a result of the StarCaps situation, Smith was arrested over the weekend for domestic violence.
Here’s what Smith says about the situation:
“During the past weekend, my wife Racquel and I were visiting her family in Lafayette, Louisiana for the holiday weekend. Early Saturday morning, an unfortunate misunderstanding led to my arrest.
“My wife was not injured as reported and this was not a domestic issue. I am confident that the legal process will bear this out. Both Racquel and I look forward to having the legal process play out and will cooperate fully. Until then, and based upon legal counsel, I will not be able to make any further comment on this matter.
“Racquel and I are both extremely thankful to everyone that has offered support through this trying time.”
Smith is accused of grabbing his wife by the hair and pulling her down the street near a nightclub in Lafayette. Smith’s wife allegedly suffered minor injuries.
It’ll be interesting to see whether the league separately investigates the situation and potentially imposes discipline, with or without a full and final adjudication of the criminal action. The NFL established a precedent in this regard when suspending Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger; it now remains to be seen whether that precedent really was a precedent, or whether it was a one-time solution to a potential P.R. nightmare.
