Former Texas Longhorns wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who just finished his rookie season with the Kansas City Chiefs, was arrested on Friday in Williamson County for assault of a family or house member and impeding the breathing or circulation, according to online records.
Williamson County Sheriff’s Office
The charge is a third-degree felony in Texas and punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Worthy had not yet posted bond as of Saturday morning and the online records did not include any further details about the arrest.
“We are aware and gathering information,” the Chiefs said in a statement.
Worthy’s lawyers also released their own statement on Saturday.
“We are aware of the allegation that led to Mr. Worthy’s arrestWe are working with law enforcement in Williamson County to ensure they have the benefit of the totality of circumstances that led to this allegation,” attorneys Sam Bassett and Chip Lewis said.
“The complainant was recently asked to vacate Mr. Worthy’s residence upon discovery of her infidelity. She has refused to do so and made a number of extortive efforts prior to resorting to this baseless allegation against Mr. Worthy,” the statement continued.
“We will continue to cooperate with the Williamson County authorities as we have full faith that their thorough investigation will support Mr. Worthy’s innocence.”
According to Worthy’s lawyers, the allegations were made by a woman who had been living in Worthy’s Williamson County home and was asked to leave multiple times “upon discovery of her infidelity.”
“She has refused to vacate the residence and made a number of extortive efforts prior to resorting to this baseless allegation against Mr. Worthy,” the statement said. “The complainant further destroyed a room in the residence, scratched Mr. Worthy’s face and ripped out parts of his hair, which there is photographic evidence of. Worthy told law enforcement at the time of the incident he did not want to press charges against the complainant.”
From Fresno, Calif., Worthy played three seasons with the Longhorns before becoming a first-round pick of the Chiefs last April, recording 59 catches for 638 yards and nine touchdowns during his rookie season.
[3/8 6:20 p.m. Central update]: A charge against Worthy was declined on Saturday evening. Williamson County District Attorney Shawn Dick explained the reasoning to the Austin American-Statesman.
“After further investigation by the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and further discussion with a third-party witness, Mr. Worthy and his attorneys, this case is being declined at this time pending completion of the investigation by the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office,” reads an email from Dick’s office. “Mr. Worthy and his lawyers are fully cooperating with this investigation.”
This is a developing story.