The Pittsburgh Steelers have released running back Chris Rainey, the team announced on Thursday. Rainey had been arrested on a charge of domestic battery earlier in the day after eyewitnesses saw him fighting with a women in a car over a cellphone. The team released a statement from from general manager Kevin Colbert, who cited the arrest as reason for Rainey's release:
Chris Rainey arrested: Steelers release running back
The Steelers did not tolerate Chris Rainey’s off-field actions, and have sent the running back packing.
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Steelers GM Kevin Colbert "Under the circumstances and due to this conduct, Chris will no longer be a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers."
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 10, 2013
This isn’t Rainey’s first run-in with the law involving a woman. While in college at Florida, he pled guilty to misdemeanor stalking after texting his girlfriend, “Time to Die Bitch.”
The rookie was drafted with the 159th pick last April by Pittsburgh. Rainey appeared in all 16 games for the Steelers in 2012. He carried the ball 26 times for 102 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 14 receptions for for 60 yards on 22 targets. Rainey struggled to hold on to the ball in a receiving role, as he fumbled three times on those 14 catches.
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