Chad Wheeler ‘no longer with’ Seahawks after domestic violence charge

Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Chad Wheeler is “no longer with the team” after he was arrested Saturday night on suspicion of felony domestic violence. 

He was charged Wednesday with first-degree domestic violence assault, domestic violence unlawful imprisonment and resisting arrest. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Feb. 9. King County prosecutors also asked a judge to require Wheeler be placed on electronic home detention,

The team released a statement Wednesday afternoon, saying: “The Seahawks are saddened by the details emerging against Chad Wheeler and strongly condemn this act of domestic violence. Our thoughts and support are with the victim. Chad is a free agent and no longer with the team.”

Wheeler was a restricted free agent, so the team would have needed to make him an offer to keep him for 2021.

According to a Kent (Washington) Police Department report obtained by The Seattle Times, a woman called 911 following a “physical fight” with her boyfriend and said that she was being “killed.” The report noted that the accuser was bleeding and suffered a dislocated arm when police arrived before being taken to the local hospital to treat injuries. 

According to the report obtained by The Times, Wheeler initially was uncooperative before being detained. He had picked the lock of the bathroom door where the accuser was hiding and was standing beside her when police arrived at the scene, the report stated. 

In the police report, the accuser claimed Wheeler strangled her before she lost consciousness after she did not bow to him like Wheeler requested. The accuser claimed Wheeler told her upon regaining consciousness, “Wow, you’re alive?”

Wheeler apologized for the incident.

“It is time for me to walk away from football and get the help I need to never again pose a threat to another,” he tweeted. “I cannot express my sorrow or remorse enough. I am truly ashamed.