Giants release kicker Josh Brown after domestic violence admission
New York Giants kicker Josh Brown was placed on the commissioner's exempt list last week after police documents showed that he admitted to “physically, verbally and emotionally” abusing his wife. It effectively sidelined him until further notice, but the Giants have opted to move on from the situation entirely.
On Tuesday, the team announced it has released Brown after three-plus seasons in New York.
Giants owner John Mara issued the following statement regarding Brown’s release.
Brown did not make the trip to London last week with the Giants, instead being replaced by Robbie Gould. The team had held out on taking a definitive stance on the situation, showing reluctance to cut ties with the 37-year-old kicker.
Rather, Mara stood by Brown and hoped he would get the help he needed. Clearly, the Giants have decided to go in a different direction given the public criticism and seriousness of his situation.
Brown also issued this statement to ESPN's Adam Schefter prior to being released by the team, in which he says “I never struck my wife.”
I am sorry that my past has called into question the character or integrity of The New York Giants, Mr. Mara or any of those who have supported me along the way. I have taken measures to get help so that I may be the voice of change, not a statistic. It is important to share that I never struck my wife, and never would. Abuse takes many forms, and is not a gray area. Through the past several years I have worked to identify and rectify my own behaviors. The road to rehabilitation is a journey and a constant modification of a way of life. My journey will continue forever as a person determined to leave a positive legacy and I embrace the opportunities to show and speak about what has helped me to be that man. In the interim, I am cooperating with the Giants and the NFL. Thank you to everyone that has supported me, I will not let you down.
-Josh Brown
The #Giants have released Kicker Josh Brown pic.twitter.com/Arj2vQZdsM
— New York Giants (@Giants) October 25, 2016
John Mara on Josh Brown pic.twitter.com/T6AkJhIZrm
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) October 25, 2016
