Safety Jimmie Ward #20 of the Houston Texans sits on the bench prior to an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at NRG Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Houston, Texas
Jimmie Ward of the Houston Texans on Nov. 10, 2024.
Texans safety Jimmie Ward was arrested at his home in Texas on Thursday, June 12
Ward is accused of choking someone and faces a felony assault family violence charge, county jail records show
The Texans said they are "aware of the report" and "gathering more information" at this time
Houston Texans safety Jimmie Ward was arrested at his home in Texas Wednesday on a felony assault family violence charge, according to police records.
Montgomery County Jail records show that Ward, 33, was arrested following an incident at his home in Magnolia, Texas on the morning of Thursday, June 12, and is accused of assaulting and choking or suffocating an individual. He was arrested on the third degree felony charge at 5:38 a.m.
As of Thursday afternoon, Ward remains in custody and is being held without bond.
In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Texans senior director of communications Omar Majzoub said the organization is "aware of the report involving Jimmie Ward" and are "gathering more information" on the incident. Majzoub said the Texans "have no further comment at this time."
Jimmie Ward #20 of the Houston Texans runs out of the tunnel prior to an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri
Jimmie Ward #20 of the Houston Texans runs out of the tunnel prior to an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri
Ward's agent did not immediately return PEOPLE'S request for comment.
Ward was drafted 30th overall in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers and played with the team until the 2023 offseason, when he signed a two-year contract with the Texans. He is often referred to by his middle name, "Neko," which is also the name he uses on Instagram.
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Before being drafted into the NFL, Ward played four seasons at Northern Illinois University, only missing a single game in all four years, according to his NFL biography.
He is also the cousin of former NBA player, Caron Butler, who is currently an assistant coach for the Miami Heat.
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Ward is not active on social media, only posting to Instagram occasionally. His most recent post is a brand collaboration from February.
In November 2024, Ward was praised for his community involvement work when he made an appearance at a local elementary school's anti-bullying event. "Thank you @texanstoro1 for having me help out with this initiative. Let’s keep attacking bullying together. 🦾🤘🏿," he commented on a post showing him visiting with the students.