Richard Sherman booked, denied bail while under investigation for burglary domestic violence in Seattle
Free agent cornerback Richard Sherman has found himself in trouble with the law. Sherman was arrested early Wednesday morning in Seattle and is being investigated for burglary domestic violence, according to King County public records. The former San Francisco 49ers defensive back was booked at the Seattle Correctional Facility and was denied bail, which is a standard procedure for suspects of domestic violence until they can appear before a judge, a spokesperson for the Redmond (Washington) Police Department told ESPN. The notice stated the incident is being investigated as a felony. ESPN reports Sherman's hearing before a judge will not take place until Thursday afternoon.
During a press conference later on Wednesday, Redmond Police Chief Darrell Lowe said Sherman attempted to break into the house of his in-laws at around 2 a.m. PT. The domestic violence specification to the burglary charge is for his relations of the address' occupants and "not because of violence against any family member/significant other."
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Sherman is also being investigated in connection to a hit-and-run, and damage to state Department of Transportation property. Schefter reports state police say that at about 1 a.m. PT, they received a report of a single-car accident in which a car hit a concrete barrier. The driver abandoned the vehicle in a nearby parking lot, and when the registration was run, it came back to Sherman.
On Wednesday, the NFLPA issued this statement about Sherman, who serves as a VP on the executive committee.
"We were made aware of an arrest last night of one of our player leaders for an alleged domestic violence incident and have activated our domestic violence crisis protocol for the protection and support of everyone involved. We will continue to monitor events closely as more facts are made available to us."
A spokesperson for the Redmond Police Department in Washington told ESPN that a 911 call came from the residence at 2 a.m. PT. The call was concerning an adult male family member who did not live at the residence trying to force his way into the home. When the police arrived, the suspect reportedly fought with officers but was eventually apprehended. The suspect was later identified as Sherman, who Redmond Police noted was also booked for malicious mischief for the damage caused to the door. Lowe added officers sustained minor injuries in the altercation when he was resisting arrest. Meanwhile, a K9 was deployed to help subdue Sherman and he was taken to the hospital to be looked at for injuries before being booked. According to Redmond PD, Sherman sustained a minor laceration to his lower leg and ankle area as a result of the police dog.
Sherman's wife, Ashley Moss, told The Seattle Times that she wouldn't make any kind of statement, but wanted to let everyone know that Sherman did not hurt anybody.
"At this time we're going to make no statements, except he didn't harm anybody," Moss said. "My kids were not harmed in the incident. He's a good person and this is not his character. We're doing all right, just trying to get him out. I want people to know no one was injured."
The NFL released a statement on Wednesday, via Mark Maske of the Washington Post, but did not mention Sherman by name.
"Free agents are eligible to sign with any team. The league investigates any incident involving law enforcement and if there is a violation of the personal conduct policy the player would be facing discipline."
Sherman had spent the past three years with the 49ers before becoming a free agent this offseason. With the 49ers, he was named a second-team All-Pro and invited to his fifth Pro Bowl in 2019, as the 49ers made it all the way to Super Bowl LIV. Sherman is best remembered for his time as one of the captains of the "Legion of Boom" during his seven seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. The elite defensive unit even led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl XLVIII win over the Denver Broncos to cap the 2013 campaign.
The 33-year-old was expected to sign with a team in the coming weeks with training camp right around the corner. According to ESPN's Mike Triplett, the New Orleans Saints were among potential landing spots for the veteran defensive back, who has "multiple suitors." Sherman even reportedly discussed a potential return to Seattle, but it's likely this latest development has put everything on hold.