Jabrill Peppers Removed from Commissioner Exempt List Amid Legal Turmoil
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots are back in the headlines, but not for the reasons fans might hope. Safety Jabrill Peppers, who has been embroiled in legal trouble since early October, has officially been removed from the commissioner exempt list, the NFL announced Monday. This development comes as Peppers continues to face serious allegations, including strangulation and drug possession, with a jury trial now scheduled for January 22 in Quincy, Massachusetts.
The legal drama surrounding Peppers has been a whirlwind. At a pretrial hearing last Friday, Peppers’ attorney, Marc Brofsky, revealed that the player had rejected a $10.5 million demand from the plaintiff as part of a potential lawsuit. Brofsky didn’t mince words, stating, “It technically may not be extortion but is highly probative and tells you what this case is all about.”
However, attorneys for the plaintiff pushed back on this narrative. In a statement, Douglas H. Wigdor and David E. Gottlieb clarified, “We can confirm that Mr. Peppers’ lawyer asked us to meet to discuss a potential settlement and asked us to convey a settlement proposal. We presented a proposal that included an apology from Mr. Peppers, a financial contribution to a domestic abuse support organization, a commitment by Mr. Peppers to undergo intensive counseling, and a monetary payment for our client’s pain and suffering. We did not present a proposal of $10.5 million to avoid a civil lawsuit, and the civil lawsuit does not seek any particular amount other than what a jury decides to award.”
What Does This Mean for the Patriots?
While on the commissioner exempt list, Peppers was barred from practicing or attending games, and he didn’t count toward the Patriots’ 53-man roster. Now that he’s been removed from the list, the team has an open spot on their roster, leaving fans and analysts speculating about what’s next for the veteran safety.
Peppers’ legal troubles began on October 7, when police in Braintree, Massachusetts, responded to a disturbance at a residence. According to the police report, a woman alleged that Peppers hit her, choked her “at least six times,” removed her clothing, and forced her outside. The report also claims Peppers shoved the woman to the ground, pushed her head into a wall, and strangled her with his hands. He was subsequently charged with “assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation, and possession of a Class B substance believed to be cocaine.”
Peppers’ Defense Pushes Back
In court, Brofsky argued that video evidence contradicts the allegations, stating, “There are no injuries consistent with any of those types of things happening; the only thing you see is that this woman has a small scrape on her knee.” Brofsky also claimed that Peppers had repeatedly asked the woman to leave his residence, but she refused. The woman, who told police she had been dating Peppers “on and off” for about three years, has been ordered to stay away from him following his arraignment on October 7. Peppers posted $2,500 bail shortly after.
Patriots’ Stance on the Situation
First-year Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo addressed the situation on October 9, making it clear where the organization stands on issues of domestic violence. “I just want to be clear — any act of domestic violence is unacceptable for us as a team, whether you’re a player, staff member. We’re wholeheartedly against any type of domestic violence. I know the organization’s position, which I fully support,” Mayo said. He added, “With that being said, I do think that Jabrill has to continue to go through due process. We’ll see how that works out. … As a father of three daughters, I definitely understand the seriousness of the allegations and hopefully they’re not true.”
What’s Next for Peppers?
Peppers, who turned 29 on October 4, is a team captain and in his eighth NFL season. This is his third year with the Patriots, and his removal from the exempt list raises questions about his future with the team. Will the Patriots welcome him back to the field, or will the legal proceedings overshadow his career? For now, all eyes are on the January 22 trial date, where the next chapter of this saga will unfold.
Key Points to Watch
- Peppers’ legal battle continues with a jury trial set for January 22.
- The Patriots have an open spot on their 53-man roster following his removal from the exempt list.
- Coach Jerod Mayo has emphasized the team’s zero-tolerance policy on domestic violence while supporting due process.
As the situation develops, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the Patriots and the NFL handle this high-profile case. For now, Peppers’ future in the league remains uncertain, and the legal process will ultimately determine the outcome.
Originally Written by: Mike Reiss
