SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Chicago Bears released defensive end Ray McDonald following a domestic violence arrest in Northern California that police say stemmed from an assault on a woman who was holding a baby.
McDonald was taken into custody Monday morning on suspicion of domestic violence and child endangerment, Santa Clara police Lt. Kurt Clarke said.
Police say the assault happened at his home in Santa Clara. He was found about three hours later at a home in San Jose and arrested.
McDonald was released from jail after posting bail later Monday, pushing past TV cameras and reporters without answering questions as he got into a taxi.
Police did not disclose if the woman or the baby were injured.
The Chicago Bears released a statement Monday afternoon about the decision to let McDonald go.
"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," General Manager Ryan Pace said in the statement. "He was not able to meet the standard, and the decision was made to release him."
Bears guard Kyle Long quickly reacted to the move by tweeting "Good riddance."
Chicago signed McDonald to a one-year contract in late March knowing it was a gamble given his history of legal issues.
Chairman George McCaskey even acknowledged at the time that he initially told Pace not to go after him. But McCaskey came away impressed from a face-to-face conversation that he described as "very candid, very forthright" and "difficult" after McDonald paid his way to Chicago.
McCaskey talked to McDonald's parents but didn't talk to any lawyers involved in McDonald's cases or the accusers.
He cited a league investigation and said: "An alleged victim I think much like anybody else who has a bias in a situation there's a certain amount of discounting what they have to say. But our personnel department had done its work looking into his background and the incidents and we had the benefit of two coaches who had been with him with the 49ers.
"I spoke with Vic Fangio and came away very impressed with what Vic had to say about him, that he's well-liked by his teammates, by his coaches, his strong work ethic. That he's considered a leader on the field and speaking to Vic and Ray especially I was convinced that he's sufficiently motivated to make this work."
McDonald's agent, Tom Condon, did not immediately return calls for comment Monday afternoon.