1 month ago
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The NFL is reviewing the case of rookie free-agent wide receiver Isaiah Bond after Frisco, Texas police declined to proceed with sexual assault charges against him in April.
NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy told Cleveland.com on Friday that Bond's case is currently being reviewed.
The league's personal conduct policy does not require criminal charges in order for a player to be punished, so the fact that Bond wasn't charged won't protect him from a possible suspension.
Bond has not signed with a team yet, but previously announced his intention to join the Cleveland Browns. ESPN is reporting that Bond will meet the Browns in Cleveland on Saturday night to finalize his deal following the team's preseason game in Philadelphia earlier in the day.
'First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Cleveland Browns for believing in me and allowing me the opportunity to continue my career in the NFL,' Bond said in a statement after charges against him were dropped.
'Football has been my passion since I was six years old, and playing at this level is a blessing I will never take for granted. I understand that playing in the NFL is a privilege, and I'm thankful every day to live my childhood dream.
Bond named a name for himself as a speedy wide receiver at Texas before going undrafted
'I know there have been questions and reports about the recent allegations,' he continued. 'I am grateful for the decision of the prosecutor and the courts not to pursue charges. I will learn from this experience as I grow in wisdom, character, and faith.
'On the advice of my attorney, I will not discuss the details of this case, but I want to be clear: from the very beginning I have refuted these allegations and maintained my innocence. I stand firm by that today.'
Details of the allegations remain unclear, but Bond has filed suit against his accuser, claiming their encounter was consensual and that the woman was seeking a financial settlement.
According to the complaint obtained by Daily Mail, the accuser 'did make the indirect threat that, due to Bond's high-profile status, Bond "better be careful not to catch a case."'
Bond's attorneys claimed he asked the woman to leave at that point, only for her to demand $5,000 or face the accusation that he 'assaulted her during their consensual sexual encounter.'
Both sides have since agreed to a resolution and the case was dismissed with prejudice.
Bond participates in a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium
Bond made a name for himself at Texas with his blinding speed and later ran the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine in just 4.39 second.
He was expected to be a Day 2 draft pick, with ESPN's Mel Kiper arguing he should go before the third round.
But, following the sexual assault claims, Bond went undrafted in April.
Now he has a chance to catch on in Cleveland, where the Browns are looking to complement star receiver Jerry Jeudy with a deep threat who can stretch opposing defenses downfield.
Of course, head coach Kevin Stefanski is still working to determine which of his five quarterbacks will be under center in Week 1: Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, Brett Hundley, Joe Flacco or Kelly Pickett.
