Watch CBS News

Bears Release Ray McDonald After Domestic Violence Arrest

(CBS) -- The Chicago Bears have released defensive lineman Ray McDonald after he was arrested on domestic violence charges Monday morning, the team announced.

"We believe in second chances, but when we signed Ray we were very clear what our expectations were if he was to remain a Bear," general manager Ryan Pace said in a press release. "He was not able to meet the standard and the decision was made to release him."

Police say after they were dispatched to a residence owned by McDonald in Santa Clara at about 3:48 a.m. and say officers learned McDonald assaulted the victim while she was holding a baby.

McDonald left the residence after the alleged assault, and he was arrested at a home in San Jose, police said.

After his release, Bears lineman Kyle Long tweeted, "Good riddance."

McDonald was signed by the Bears to a one-year deal in March. He was arrested last year on suspicion of felony domestic violence in August and was investigated for an alleged sexual assault last December. He wasn't charged in either case.

McDonald was released by the San Francisco 49ers shortly after the December incident. Bears chairman George McCaskey initially nixed the idea of signing of McDonald but gave his approval after a personal meeting with the lineman.

Four days ago, McDonald filed a defamation lawsuit against the woman who accused him of sexual assault last December.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.