Dallas Cowboys Player Involved In Sex Assault Investigation
GRAPEVINE (CBSDFW.COM/AP) - Dallas Cowboys special teams player C.J. Spillman is under investigation but hasn't been arrested or charged after a report of an alleged sexual assault at the team hotel last month.
Grapevine police spokesman Sgt. Robert Eberling told CBS 11's Bud Gillette that Spillman is not a suspect only that his name is associated with the probe. The alleged assault took place early Sept. 20 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, according to Eberling. The police report was filed later that morning around nine. The team flew to St. Louis later that Saturday, and Spillman played against the Rams the next day.
"We've been very clear with our team about consequences that there will be if there is a situation where charges or arrests are made for a crime. We have been clear about that. That does not apply in this case," said Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett at his Thursday morning news conference.
"I think you have to be careful with just accusations and allegations in this situation. When someone is officially charged or arrested for something and then that's when it becomes a different situation in our mind. For now, he is a member of our football team and will take part in everything that we do at this point."
Spillman has played in all four games, including last weekend at home against New Orleans. His only tackle of the season came against the Rams. Spillman is listed as a safety but hasn't played defense this season.
Spillman has been playing in the NFL for six seasons. This is his first with the Cowboys.
Spillman's agent, Ron Slavin, and attorney Bruce Ashworth declined to comment.
The NFL is aware of the incident and has offered to interview the alleged victim "on a confidential and appropriate basis to obtain more information."
Spokesman Greg Aiello said Thursday the league has been "looking into the matter and will continue to do so."
Eberling said no other details were being released because the investigation is ongoing.
The Cowboys signed the 28-year-old Spillman on Sept. 1, two days after the sixth-year player was among the final cuts by San Francisco. The former Louisville defensive back spent most of his first five seasons with the 49ers.
The alleged assault came less than 24 hours after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell held a news conference to address concerns about the way the league has handled domestic violence cases.
"Obviously, we see what's going on with the NFL, but these things are very sensitive in nature when it comes to the victim," Eberling said. "We don't release any details involving these type of crimes while they're under investigation."
Goodell and the league were widely criticized over a two-game suspension for Baltimore running back Ray Rice after he knocked out his then-fiancee in a hotel elevator.
The commissioner later acknowledged the punishment was too light and said future first offenses in domestic violence cases would result in six-game bans. When an explosive video surfaced showing Rice punching the woman, he was released by the Ravens and suspended indefinitely by the league.
The NFL also has been rocked by a pair of assault cases last month that sidelined running backs Adrian Peterson in Minnesota and Jonathan Dwyer in Arizona.
Peterson was indicted in Texas on felony child-abuse charges for using a tree branch, or "switch," to discipline his 4-year-old son.
Dwyer won't play again this season after his arrest on aggravated assault charges. A law enforcement report says he head-butted his wife and broke her nose after she refused his sexual advances, and punched her in the face the next day.
Peterson and Carolina defensive end Greg Hardy are on a paid leave through a special roster exemption granted by the league. Hardy is appealing his conviction in a domestic violence case involving an ex-girlfriend in North Carolina.
San Francisco defensive lineman Ray McDonald is playing after he was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence at a home he shares with his fiancee. He hasn't been charged.
This is a developing story and we will have information as it becomes available.
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