NFL reviewing Jets WR Enunwa's domestic violence arrest
The NFL is reviewing the arrest of New York Jets wide receiver Quincy Enunwa under its new domestic violence policy as police released details Thursday of last weekend's incident.
Enunwa, a member of the Jets' practice squad, was arrested and charged with domestic violence and simple assault Sunday night, according to an arrest report released by the Florham Park Police Dept. The 22-year-old Enunwa pleaded not guilty Wednesday and was released on his own recognizance.
It wasn't clear what the relationship was between Enunwa and the female victim.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced last week tougher penalties for players accused of domestic violence, including a six-week suspension for a first offense and at least a year for a second. League spokesman Greg Aiello told The Associated Press in an email that Enunwa's incident "is being reviewed under the policy."
Enunwa practiced Thursday after declining comment to reporters a day earlier, saying it was "a pending legal matter." Jets coach Rex Ryan and the team also declined comment on details of the incident.
Police said that Enunwa grabbed the woman by her ankle and pulled her off a hotel bed, "causing her to strike and injure both her head and finger," according to a police complaint obtained by NJ.com.
One of the conditions of Enunwa's release was "no future acts of domestic violence," according to the complaint.
Police also released a 911 call in which someone calling from the Wyndham Hamilton Park Hotel -- located less than 1 mile from the Jets' training facility -- said that he was with a woman who was injured in the lobby.
"It's over now, but you know, it's a heated argument and we have a woman who's injured," the unidentified man said in the call.
Enunwa was a sixth-round pick in the NFL draft in May after he had 12 touchdowns for Nebraska last season and was the Gator Bowl MVP. He made the Jets' initial 53-man roster last Saturday, but was cut Monday when the team made other player moves. New York signed him to the practice squad -- meaning he is not on the active roster for games -- on Tuesday.
Ryan said Thursday the Jets knew about the arrest before they added him to the practice squad, but then backtracked and said he couldn't remember specifically the sequence of events.
Ryan added that he thought the NFL's new policy on domestic violence is "appropriate," but didn't relate it specifically to Enunwa's situation.
"There's different circumstances to every case and, this thing, we'll see what happens," Ryan said.
The Jets open the regular season Sunday against the Oakland Raiders at MetLife Stadium.