Bears defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. has been charged with misdemeanor assault of a female after an incident dating to Oct. 17, the night before the team played the Carolina Panthers.
He’s been issued a summons but a court date has not yet been set, according to a spokesperson for the Mecklenburg County (N.C.) District Attorney’s Office.
Just after midnight on Oct. 18, police responded to reports of a woman hitting a man with her hand and scratching his forehead at the Hilton Charlotte City Center, according to police documents. Both Edwards and a woman were characterized as victims in the report. Both had bruises and scratches.
In separate court documents acquired by TMZ Sports, the accuser, a Charlotte-area woman with whom Edwards was familiar, claims he hit her eye with his hand and dragged her out of his hotel room after she began recording him during an argument. She said she was hospitalized after the attack, and was pregnant at the time.
Edwards’ agent, Peter Schaffer, denied the allegations to the Sun-Times.
“Mario and myself are strong proponents that there is no place anywhere in our society for domestic violence,” he said.
He said he was “proud” of Edwards for trying to de-escalate matters after, he said, there was a verbal argument in his hotel room. He claimed the alleged victim made a “money play” in recent weeks, seeking compensation from Edwards.
The matter remains under review under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy, per NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy. The league could also fine Edwards for violating coronavirus travel protocols; players, coaches and staff are not allowed to mingle with anyone outside of their traveling party when on the road this season.
The Bears issued a statement Tuesday afternoon.
“We are aware of the situation involving Mario Edwards Jr.,” it read. “We are doing our due diligence to thoroughly review and understand the facts. We take any allegation of this nature very seriously, both internally and with the NFL.”
Edwards is in his first year with the Bears, having signed after the Saints cut him in September. He had one sack against the Panthers and four on the season, including two in the Bears’ most recent game, a win against the Texans.
