The Chiefs have released star running back Kareem Hunt, a decision that came after video surfaced earlier Friday that showed him shoving a woman earlier this year.
The team announced the move Friday night, just after the NFL had announced that Hunt had been placed on the commissioner's exempt list.
A similar situation occurred 4+ years ago when video footage surfaced of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice punching his then fiancee, literally knocking her out. Before that, the allegations of physical violence was known but the Ravens chose to retain Rice. But as also with Hunt, Rice was released once video evidence was made public.
In the Rice situation, the Ravens weren't exactly taking a bold stance. Despite a solid first five years of his career, Rice's production took a nosedive in season six, which ended just months before the incident with his fiancee. The organization obviously felt it wasn't worth enduring the public relations backlash to keep a talented player but one who looked to be regressing. However, as a rookie in 2017, Hunt was the NFL's leading rusher. This season he was on pace for over 1,700 yards from scrimmage before being placed on the commissioner's exempt list. Despite that, the Chiefs organization felt that Hunt's lack of candor was a bridge too far.
"Earlier this year, we were made aware of an incident involving running back Kareem Hunt," the Chiefs said in the statement. "At that time, the National Football League and law enforcement initiated investigations into the issue. As part of our internal discussions with Kareem, several members of our management team spoke directly to him. Kareem was not truthful in those discussions. The video released today confirms that fact. We are releasing Kareem immediately."
I imagine if Hunt fulfilled whatever legal sentence may have been handed down, thus resulting in the possibility of Commissioner Goodell removing him from the exempt list, he may have had a chance to resurrect his career. And he still might, but it won't be with Kansas City.
As with most anything in life, a lie about (or attempted cover-up of) a crime results in more severe consequences than the crime itself.
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