Seattle Seahawks OT Chad Wheeler Arrested After Strangling His Girlfriend Until She Was Unconscious
The NFL has been full of terrible domestic violence cases, but this is one of the most dark and disturbing ones to date. Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Chad Wheeler was arrested on Saturday on assault and domestic violence charges after strangling his girlfriend within an inch of her life.
Wheeler was arrested after police responded to a 911 call from his girlfriend who said that she was being ‘killed’ by her boyfriend and that she had locked herself in the bathroom. Wheeler is accused of then grabbing his girlfriend and throwing her on the bed.
According to the police report obtained by The Seattle Times the alleged assault began when Wheeler told his girlfriend to bow to him but she refused.
Police said Wheeler allegedly strangled her until she lost consciousness. When she did regain consciousness, Wheeler was allegedly standing near the bed and said: ‘Wow you’re alive?’
When officers arrived, they found Wheeler in the bathroom with the woman. The police report says Wheeler had picked the lock of the bathroom before officers arrived and started apologizing.
Officers reported that Wheeler was initially uncooperative before he was taken into custody. He allegedly shouted: ‘Sorry’ and ‘I don’t beat women’.
His girlfriend told detectives that he had a ‘manic episode’ that came out of nowhere. She was taken to the hospital where she was treated for a dislocated arm and face wounds.
Wheeler was released from jail on Tuesday on $400,000 bail and was ordered not to have contact with the victim and to surrender all weapons. He’s scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday and it remains unclear if he has legal representation.
Wheeler joined the Seahawks in October of 2019 and played in five games this past season. He is slated to become a restricted free agent this offseason.
The Seahawks told the Seattle Times in a statement: “We are aware of the situation and still gathering information.”
Chad Wheeler of the @Seahawks tried to kill his girlfriend because she wouldn’t bow to him. He was even surprised at her survival.
If you’re not outraged, you’re part of the problem. @NFL handle this swiftly & decisively. pic.twitter.com/R2IF1HwMow
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) January 27, 2021