JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One day after Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker T.J. Slaughter was arrested for allegedly pointing a handgun at two teens, the team announced it had released the four-year veteran.
Tavaris Jermell Slaughter, 26, was arrested early Monday on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after two high school students from Fernandina Beach driving near the airport said he had a verbal exchange with them, then pointed a handgun at them.
Recommended Videos
Police caught up with Slaughter at a nightclub near Craig Airport on Atlantic Boulevard. A search of his car turned up a 9 mm handgun with two clips of ammunition. Police said no round was in the chamber of the weapon, which Slaughter has a license to carry.
"I don't see why he pulled the gun," he added." We just backed off, and that's when I called the Florida Highway Patrol because I thought he was going to shoot at us."
Police said Slaughter admitted exchanging words with the pair, but denied pulling a gun. His female companion told authorities she never saw him get out a gun.
Slaughter was arrested and booked into the Duval County Jail.
The linebacker's agent released a statement Monday, saying Slaughter denies wrongdoing.
Slaughter was released just before noon Monday on his own recognizance -- something the State Attorney's Office said should not have happened before a judge set bond. Later in the day, Slaughter's attorney returned to the jail to pay his $5,003 bond.
The State Attorney's Office is expected to decide within the week if Slaughter will be prosecuted.
Channel 4's sports director, Sam Kouvaris, said the team said they cut slaughter because of his performance. The reason makes a big difference, because league rules would require that Slaughter be paid if cut for skill. If he were cut for cause -- like a criminal infraction -- they would not be required to pay Slaughter the remainder of his contract.
The 6-foot, 233-pound linebacker out of Southern Mississippi had played 42 games with 29 starts for the Jaguars since he was drafted in the third round in 2000. He had started three of six games played this season, making 24 tackles (13 solo), one sack, two forced fumbles and six tackles on special teams.
For his career, Slaughter made 330 tackles (155 solo), two sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 28 tackles on special teams. He started games at both middle and weakside linebacker in his four years with the team.
He missed this year's season opener with an ankle injury and missed 12 games in 2001 and 2002 with various injuries. He also was suspended for four games last season after failing a league-mandated drug test.
Previous Story:
- October 27, 2003: Jaguars Linebacker Arrested For Aggravated Assault