New England Patriots Owner Robert Kraft said this week that disturbing allegations of domestic violence threatening Jabril Pepper's safety would be removed from the team if proven true.
However, the longtime NFL owner warned that the team would await due process.
New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers is arraigned on Monday, October 7, in U.S. District Court in Quincy, Massachusetts. (USA TODAY NETWORK via Matt Stone/Boston Herald/Imagon Image)
During an appearance on the popular morning radio show “The Breakfast Club,” Kraft said the team is conducting its own investigation, along with the league's, before making a decision regarding Peppers' future with the Patriots. He was arrested last weekend Charges of assault, strangulation and drug possession.
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“We live in a world now where there is so much information on social media and there are so many reports that it is unfair in these types of situations,” Kraft began. “When you first read this, your stomach turns. But we found out – and I don't know the facts of this case and (Patriots coach Jerrod Mayo) called me and we talked about it – when he was on the commissioner's exempt list, an independent review was done and if it was reported, he's gone.
Peppers, 29, is accused of assaulting his girlfriend when he answered the phone while they were both in bed. Court documents show that police were called to the home on Saturday morning after a report of a fight.
Documents say Peppers knocked the woman to the ground, slammed her head against a wall and tried to choke her. Court documents say the woman told law enforcement that Peppers allegedly choked her at least six times and then kicked her out of the house.
New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers (5) takes the field with teammates before the game against the Washington Commanders at Commanders Field. (Tommy Gilligan – USA TODAY Sports)
Police also claimed to have found a clear plastic bag in the house containing a white powder that was later found to contain cocaine.
After the commissioner's arrest, Jabrill Peppers of the Patriots was placed on the commissioner's exempt list
Peppers appeared in court on Monday where he pleaded not guilty to numerous charges, including assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a class “B” substance, believed to be cocaine.
Following the complaint, Peppers was initially allowed to return to the team's training facility, but was detained Commissioner's exemption list on Wednesday
“Any act of domestic violence is unacceptable to us,” Mayo said Wednesday. “With that in mind, I think Jabril has to go through the system, go through the proper process. We'll see how it goes.”
Kraft echoed that sentiment, adding that “there have been some suggestions that this was a setup and what has been reported is not accurate.”
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft before the AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. (Rich Barnes – USA TODAY Sports)
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Kraft said he had experienced something similar “personally” and wanted to wait for the investigation and disclosure of the facts. But there will be no exception if the allegation is confirmed.
“I have a saying that I use with all my loved ones: when making important life decisions, you measure nine times and cut once. And I think in this case, if what's been reported is true, he's gone. But we want to know the facts.”
Pepper's attorney, Mark Brofsky, said in court Monday that the evidence “casts doubt on the allegations, including the videotaped evidence.” Kraft said he had not seen the evidence.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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