Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy Released After Texas DA Declines Domestic Violence Charges
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy was released on Saturday after the Williamson County District Attorney in Texas declined to pursue charges following his arrest on felony domestic violence allegations.
Williamson County District Attorney Shawn Dick confirmed to the Austin American-Statesman that his office had reviewed the case, spoke with witnesses, and decided not to accept the case at this time. He also stated that Worthy and his legal team had fully cooperated with the investigation.
The Incident and Arrest
Worthy, 22, was arrested on Friday by deputies and held at the Williamson County Jail on a charge of assault on a family or household member, specifically impeding breathing, which is commonly referred to as choking. The case, however, was marked as “dismissed/declined“ in court records later on Saturday.
The incident occurred in Williamson County, which encompasses parts of Austin, where Worthy previously played college football for the University of Texas.
Worthy’s Attorneys Respond
In a statement released after his arrest, Worthy’s attorneys, Chip Lewis and Sam Bassett, denied the charges and asserted their client’s innocence. They explained that the accusation came from a woman who had been living in Worthy’s home but had been asked to leave multiple times in the past two weeks after her infidelity was discovered. The lawyers stated:
“She has refused to vacate the residence and made a number of extortive efforts prior to resorting to this baseless allegation against Mr. Worthy.”
The attorneys also claimed the woman damaged property in the home, scratched Worthy’s face, and ripped out his hair—all of which they said had been documented with photographic evidence. Furthermore, they stated that Worthy did not want to press charges against the woman at the time of the incident.
The Chiefs Respond
The Kansas City Chiefs acknowledged the situation on Saturday and informed the Associated Press that they were still gathering information regarding the incident.
Understanding the Legal Charge
Under Texas law, the charge of impeding breathing refers to intentionally or recklessly obstructing the normal breathing or circulation of blood in another person by applying pressure to their throat, neck, or by blocking their nose or mouth.
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Xavier Worthy’s Career So Far
Worthy was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 28th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after a standout performance at the NFL Combine, where he set the record for the fastest 40-yard dash. He made an immediate impact in the league, scoring two touchdowns in his NFL debut. After a slight midseason slump, Worthy became the Chiefs’ primary wide receiver, especially as the team aimed for an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl title.
In total, Worthy recorded 59 receptions for 638 yards and six touchdowns during the regular season. He also contributed on the ground with 20 rushing attempts for 104 yards and three touchdowns.
His standout performance came in the Super Bowl LVIII, where he caught eight passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns in a 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. His performance was one of the few bright spots for the Chiefs in the game.
Injury to Rashee Rice and Ongoing Legal Issues
The Chiefs relied on Worthy in part due to an injury to fellow wide receiver Rashee Rice, who had been a bright star during his rookie season. Rice recorded 24 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns in just four games before suffering a season-ending injury.
Meanwhile, Rice has also been dealing with legal issues stemming from a high-speed car crash in March 2024, which he and another individual, Theodore Knox, were involved in. The crash, which occurred in Dallas, caused a chain reaction on a highway and led to at least two civil lawsuits and criminal charges against Rice.
Rice turned himself in following the crash, and his attorney, Texas Sen. Royce West, confirmed that Rice admitted to being the driver of the Lamborghini involved in the incident. Rice also took responsibility for his actions in a social media post.
Conclusion: While Xavier Worthy is free of charges following the legal decision, his situation and that of his teammate Rashee Rice highlight ongoing challenges both on and off the field for the Chiefs. The team continues to monitor both situations as they prepare for the upcoming season.
