Chicago Bears Release Ray McDonald

deadspin.com

Chicago Bears defensive lineman Ray McDonald has been released following another arrest linked to domestic violence.

The ninth year pro was charged with domestic violence and child endangerment. This marks McDonald’s third legal issue this past year.

McDonald’s arrest occurred at 7.am early Monday, after police were dispatched around 4 a.m. He was later booked at Santa Clara county jail.

The 30-year-old veteran first began his legal troubles in August, where he was arrested for domestic abuse (felony), when he got into an argument with his fiancée.

His former team, the San Francisco 49ers, decided not to release him due to the charges never being filed, as they wanted the case to do its due process when it came to the arrest.

During December, McDonald was cited in a sexual assault investigation which resulted in the team releasing him. That case is still being investigated to this day.

The Bears wasted no time in making a decision on the troubled player as they dismissed him from the team immediately.

GM Ryan Pace released this statement:  “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, He was not able to meet the standard and the decision was made to release him.”

McDonald’s contract included a strict guideline that he avoid any additional off-the-field issues. He was set to make $1,050,000 this year.

McDonald will most likely never play in the NFL again, as he will most likely receive a ban or just not be touched by any other NFL team.

The Bears won’t receive any punishments most likely but this will pose a question if there should be a consequence or a some sort of regulation when teams sign players with a past of domestic violence; but as of now that’s just a discussion in the air.