Seahawks Lineman Chad Wheeler Arrested for Suspicion of Domestic Violence
(UPDATE: Jan. 27, 12:10 p.m.) The Seahawks released a statement regarding Chad Wheeler.
Seahawks’ statement on OT Chad Wheeler: pic.twitter.com/G9I0iDiqLz
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 27, 2021
(ORIGINAL: Jan. 27, 10:43 a.m.) Seattle Seahawks backup offensive tackle Chad Wheeler was released from King County Jail on Tuesday morning after being arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence, according to ESPN’s Brady Henderson.
Wheeler is accused of assaulting his girlfriend at a residence in Kent.
The former USC Trojan appeared in King County District Court where bail was set at $400,000.
Court records indicate Wheeler was booked into King County Correctional Facility at 1:19 a.m. Saturday morning.
The Kent Police Department report says police responded to a call from a woman locked in a bathroom following a “physical fight” with her boyfriend. In the 911 call, she stated she was being “killed.”
Officers forced their way into the apartment when they arrived and heard screaming. Once police made their way to the bathroom, Wheeler was standing beside the victim, per the report.
Wheeler reportedly asked the victim to bow to him, and when she didn’t he grabbed her and threw her on a bed. The police report says Wheeler is 6-foot-7 and 310 pounds, while the victim is 5-9 and 145 pounds.
According to the report, Wheeler strangled her before she lost consciousness. After she regained consciousness, Wheeler was standing near the bed and said “Wow, you’re still alive?” the report said.
The victim then ran to the bathroom and called 911 and family per the report. Wheeler picked the bathroom door lock and entered before officers arrived.
She was transported to Valley Medical Center in Kent.
According to the police report, Wheeler had been on medication for bi-polar disorder, but he had not been taking it recently.
Fox Sports’ Emmanuel Acho shared disturbing images allegedly from the incident. Viewer discretion is advised (Photos).
This is not the first time Wheeler has been reportedly involved in this type of incident. In 2017, the New York Daily News detailed questions about his past, including a December 2015 altercation with police.
He was not arrested, but reportedly threatened a teammate, punched walls and windows of an apartment, got into the aforementioned altercation with police and was taken to a Los Angeles hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.
An NBC New report alleged alcohol and drugs may have been involved and Wheeler did not recognize a fellow USC O-lineman, so he threatened him.
Wheeler started his career with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He was with the Giants from 2017-19 before joining the Seahawks in October 2019.
He played in five games this season including filling in at right tackle against the Giants and Jets in December. Overall, he played 65 offensive snaps and 22 on special teams with Seattle this year.
Wheeler is a restricted free agent, meaning he will be an unrestricted free agent if he does not receive a qualifying offer before the new league year begins on March 17.
Information gathered via reports from The Seattle Times and ESPN.
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