Police reportedly arrested former NFL defensive end Marcellus Wiley July 4 on allegations of domestic battery in Florida.
The arrest affidavit alleged that deputies attended Orlando’s World Marriott at 4:47 pm where the victim was named as Wiley’s wife, according to NBC Sports. She allegedly asked deputies to “remove her husband from their shared hotel room due to her being afraid of him.” She went on to say Wiley “told [her] he was going to kill her and [she] was afraid of his behavior,” according to the affidavit.
The athlete’s wife alleged that “on the previous morning Marcellus had put his hands on her” by using “one finger to sternly and intentionally poke her in the cheek.” She claimed their 7-year old daughter saw the incident. The young child told police she heard her parents argue, but denied seeing Wiley touch her mother, according to the affidavit.
JACKSONVILLE, FL – 2006: Marcellus Wiley of the Jacksonville Jaguars poses for his 2006 NFL headshot at photo day in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Getty Images)
Wiley’s wife alleged that he “had an unreported history of violence toward her and she was planning to divorce him when they returned home to California.”
The affidavit indicated Wiley’s wife did not ask for medical assistance and deputies did not observe any “visible injuries.”
The Public Information Office of the Orange County Corrections Department noted that Wiley was freed from custody Sunday after submitting a $1,000 cash bond.
ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 17: Defensive lineman Marcellus Wiley #75 of the Buffalo Bills looks on from the field during a game against the Oakland Raiders at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 17, 1999 in Orchard Park, New York. The Raiders defeated the Bills 20-14. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
Wiley denied the allegations and claimed his wife made the report “due to her intention to divorce him,” according to the affidavit.
Deputies alleged that the NFL star “did intentionally touch [his wife] against her will,” and proceeded to charge him with battery/domestic violence on probable cause. (RELATED: REPORT: Police Arrest Legendary Olympic Skier Bode Miller On Drug Charges)
SAN DIEGO, CA – CIRCA 2002:Marcellus Wiley of the San Diego Chargers against the New York Jets at Jack Murphy Stadium circa 2002 in San Diego,California. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images)
His domestic violence arrest comes after four people accused Wiley of sexual assault in April, according to TMZ.
Wiley played for the Buffalo Bills, the then-San Diego Chargers, and the Jacksonville Jaguars over the course of his 10-year career in the NFL. He went on to work for ESPN until 2018 and Fox Sports up to 2022, according to NBC Sports.