At least one NFL player threatened to “go toe-to-toe” with disgraced ex-NFL player Chad Wheeler following his arrest on domestic violence charges.
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Dez Bryant tweeted: “Chad Wheeler if I ever run across you We are going toe to toe… [sic]” Bryant added that he “wouldn’t mind making the news breaking something across your f***ing head then ask you are you still alive?”
Wheeler was arrested on Jan. 23 and later released on $400,000 bond.
The Seattle Seahawks released Wheeler after prosecutors in Kent, Washington, formally charged him with first-degree domestic violent assault, domestic violence, resisting arrest, and unlawful imprisonment.
Wheeler, who is Caucasian, allegedly told the unidentified Black victim to bow down to him during a role playing exercise. When she refused, he beat her and strangled her until she lost consciousness. When she regained consciousness, she locked herself in a bathroom and called 911.
According to a police report, the victim said Wheeler was astonished that she was still alive after the beating he’d given her. “Wow, you’re still alive?” he reportedly asked her while he calmly ate dinner.
A friend shared photos of the victim’s injuries on social media, sparking a firestorm of public outrage.
Wheeler, 27, broke his silence on Twitter.com following his arrest, saying he had experienced a manic episode during the assault.
“Events happened over the weekend that transpired from a manic episode,” Wheeler tweeted.
Outraged NFL players lashed out at Wheeler on Twitter. Dez Bryant compared Wheeler’s press coverage to Black athletes who are “destroyed” by the media when charged with similar crimes.
