NEW YORK GIANTS

Giants release Josh Brown after NFL reopens domestic abuse investigation

USA TODAY Sports
New York Giants kicker Josh Brown (3) in a preseason NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium.

The New York Giants released kicker Josh Brown on Tuesday after the NFL reopened its domestic abuse investigation last week following police documents revealing the kicker said he had abused his ex-wife.

Brown previously had been placed on the commissioner's exempt list.

In journals and emails given to the King County (Wash.) Sheriff’s office following his May 2015 arrest for fourth-degree domestic violence assault, Brown said he had been "physically, emotionally and verbally abusive" to then-wife Molly Brown. The NFL said it didn't receive the documents until they were released last Wednesday.

Charges against Brown were later dropped, and he served a one-game suspension.

“We believed we did the right thing at every juncture in our relationship with Josh,” team president and co-owner John Mara said in a statement. “Our beliefs, our judgments and our decisions were misguided. We accept that responsibility.

“We hope that Josh will continue to dedicate himself to rehabilitation, and to becoming a better person and father.  We will continue to support him in his efforts to continue counseling, and we hope that Josh and his family can find peace and a positive resolution."

Before his release, Brown issued a statement through ESPN on Tuesday in which he apologized but claimed "I never struck my wife."

Brown released an additional statement through the team Tuesday, but did not make any direct reference to his ex-wife.

"The road to rehabilitation is a journey and a constant modification of a way of life.  My journey will continue forever as a person determined to leave a positive legacy and I embrace the opportunities to show and speak about what has helped me to be that man.  I am sorry that my past has called into question the character or integrity of The New York Giants, Mr. Mara or any of those who have supported me along the way.

"In the coming days and weeks I plan on telling more of the pain I had caused and the measures taken to get help so I may be the voice of change and not a statistic.  In the interim I am cooperating with the Giants and the NFL. Thank you to everyone that has supported me, I will not let you down."