The Saskatchewan Roughriders have released Justin Cox after the team was informed he was involved in another domestic violence incident.
The 24-year-old defensive back was charged with assault causing bodily harm after an investigation by police. It’s alleged that he got violent with a 23-year-old woman who he was intimate with.
On Sunday April 16, police were called to a house in the 2200 block of McTavish Street.
According to police the victim had sustained apparent injuries that were consistent with a physical assault.
After numerous attempts to locate the suspect police eventually arrested 24-year-old Justin Cox on April 18 and charged him with assault causing bodily harm.
The Riders released the statement below regarding the arrest:
In keeping with the provisions of the Canadian Football League’s Policy on Violence Against Women, appropriate outreaches are being made to local police, support and counselling organizations. The league policy expressly states that “the CFL condemns violence against women in all its forms.”
In 2015 Cox was released from the Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL after he was charged with domestic violence, burglary and trespassing.
Cox will make his first court appearance on May 4.
Cox on Wednesday afternoon sent out a tweet apologizing for his actions.
CFL Commissioner Jeffrey Orridge released the following statement after the arrest of Cox:
Earlier today, the Saskatchewan Roughrider Football Club released Justin Cox after being informed of an incident involving domestic violence. Our clubs have been informed that should any team decide to sign Mr. Cox to a Standard Player Contract, I will refuse to register that contract. This authority rests with the Commissioner under our league’s Constitution.
The Canadian Football League is committed to doing its part to eradicate violence against women. As is stated in our Policy on Violence Against Women, “the CFL condemns violence against women in all of its forms, including domestic violence, sexual violence, sexual assault, and verbal abuse, as well as the disrespectful and demeaning attitudes that foster violence or the tolerance of such violence.” In keeping with the policy, the CFL has worked with Saskatchewan to ensure appropriate outreach is made to local police and support and counseling services. We must all do what we can to ensure the safety of women and to urge perpetrators to seek the help they need to change their behaviour and stop the violence.
-CFL Commissioner Jeffrey L. Orridge