RICHMOND — Washington Redskins wide receiver Jamison Crowder said Thursday that the league’s investigation into domestic violence allegations leveled against him in June is ongoing.
“Right now, it’s still under investigation, so I really can’t speak too much about it,” Crowder said. “Right now, I really can’t say anything about that.”
The Redskins have deferred any comment to the NFL. The league said on June 4 that “the team has been in touch with our office and we are looking into the matter.” On Thursday, an NFL spokesman said the matter “remains under review” and it does not have a timeline for the investigation’s conclusion. Crowder’s agent did not return a phone call seeking comment on Thursday.
Five photographs were apparently posted on Crowder’s Instagram account shortly after 7 p.m. on June 3 that showed a woman with a swollen and cut lip, a bruise on a left wrist and two other bruises on body parts that could not be distinguished.
The caption below the images appeared to be written from someone other than Crowder, who alleged that the wide receiver has beaten and verbally abused that individual. The images had been removed the next day.
During the investigation, Crowder has not missed any time with the Redskins. He participated in rookie mini-camp, organized team activities, veteran mini-camp and the opening day of training camp on Thursday.
When the photos emerged on his Instagram account, Crowder reached out to the Redskins.
“Letting them know the situation, that was it,” Crowder said. “Just had to roll with it. Obviously, at the time, I was scared, more to say. Just notified the Redskins, put it in the hands of the NFL now.”
The images were copied and circulated through other accounts on various social media platforms. They were accompanied by a statement that read, “[Because] I loved you, I never shared about our bad times. I always made excuses. But now that you’ve continued to show me that your heart isn’t with me, I don’t feel like I have any reason to protect you anymore, Jamison.
“I don’t want anything from you, but I do think the next person deserves to be aware of where your anger takes you. I refuse to let you hurt me anymore physically or emotionally. People shouldn’t be protected from what’s wrong, no matter how much I love you. I’m sorry.
“When our friends and my family asked, it was always, ’We play too rough.’ I’ve had things thrown at me, poured on me. I’ve been choked, had a concussion, bruised, busted lips, grabbed, tossed around, hair pulled, verbally abused. The list goes on. I hope this inspires others to speak up, too. ’Love’ is never an excuse or a reason.”
The NFL revised its personal conduct policy last December that enforces “a baseline suspension of six games without pay for violations involving assault, battery, domestic violence, dating violence, child abuse, other forms of family violence, or sexual assault, with consideration given to possible mitigating or aggravating circumstances,” according to a press release issued by the league at the time of its adoption.
The 5-foot-8, 185-pound Crowder was drafted in the fourth round out of Duke in May and is expected to be a valuable contributor for the Redskins as both a slot receiver and a punt returner. He was a first-team all-ACC wide receiver and punt returner following his junior and senior years and finished second in team history in receiving yards, punt return yards and all-purpose yards and was third in total touchdowns.
His speed is apparent. He flashed in and out of his routes Thursday afternoon during his first training camp practice, lining up primarily as a second-team slot receiver. The rookie drew cheers from the crowd with one darting path during individual match-ups between cornerbacks and wide receivers.
“I’m just focusing on getting better, coming out here and making plays,” Crowder said. “Getting a spot on the roster, any way I can, receiver, special teams, whatever.”
• Todd Dybas can be reached at tdybas@washingtontimes.com.
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