The NFL has taken a hard stance against domestic violence and its lack of tolerance has been applied to being accused of domestic violence as well. That's why it's not surprising that Ra'Shede Hageman, former Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman, has been hit with a pretty large suspension.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com and the NFL Network is reporting that the NFL is suspending Hageman for six games.
The Falcons had released Hageman from his contact early in September as the result of what they called "a thorough investigative process by local authorities."
In September of 2016, the Associated Press passed on a police report from DeKalb County, Georgia that stemmed from an incident in late March of 2016. Per the report, Hageman was charged with battery, cruelty to children, and interfering with calls for emergency assistance. At the time, Falcons' head coach Dan Quinn confirmed to the AP that Hageman was being held out of action because of the domestic violence charges.
The AP also passed on the reported incident, which involved Hageman's girlfriend, Janeal Jefferies. The two had apparently been in court earlier that day as part of a custody battle for their son.
Here's what the AP passed on at the time. Keep in mind, it's not exactly easy to read:
Jefferies told police Hageman entered her apartment home demanding his keys and began throwing items around the home when she said she didn't have the keys. She told police her son was crying as he watched Hageman pull her hair, verbally abuse her and then grab her phone, pulling the line out of the wall, when she said she was going to call 911.
According to the police report, Jefferies said Hageman took her wallet and cellphone and left the apartment before being pursued by Jefferies. She said Hageman handed the items to a male in the parking deck but then pushed her down. The police report said Jefferies had a laceration on her left elbow and left hand.
Hageman, who played college ball at Minnesota, was drafted by the Falcons with a second-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He had a year and $1,147,614 remaining on his contract when Atlanta released him, citing an "organization decision to move forward," per ESPN.
One would imagine that the NFL will quickly join the Falcons in moving forward without Hageman.
