Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Chad Wheeler was arrested after allegedly choking and nearly killing his girlfriend on Monday night in Kent, Washington. 

The horrific story was covered in detail by The Seattle Times and USA Today, which reviewed the police reports of the incident. Media outlets have decided not to identify the woman as she is considered a victim of domestic violence.

The Kent Police Department report read that the situation began when Wheeler's girlfriend would not bow to him after he demanded that she perform the act, according to The Seattle Times. He then allegedly threw her on the bed and choked her until she was unconscious. 

The police report read that when the woman woke up, Wheeler said, “Wow you’re alive?”

Local news outlet KOMO reported that police said Wheeler tried to smother her with one hand while he choked her with the other. 

She then ran to a bathroom and called the police as well as her family, telling 911 that she was being "killed." Wheeler was able to pick the lock to the bathroom and police arrived to find the woman bleeding with a dislocated arm. They heard screaming from inside the apartment and had to break down the door before reaching the bathroom, where they found the massive professional athlete standing over the woman. 

Police had to use force because Wheeler would not cooperate. Wheeler is 6’7” and 310 pounds while his girlfriend is 5'9" and 145 pounds.

Wheeler has a history of violence. In 2015, he was involved in a fight with police in which he punched out the windows of an apartment before getting into a physical altercation with an officer before being transported to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. To subdue him, police shot bean bags at him but did not arrest him, according to KOMO. 

That incident is what led Wheeler to go undrafted after spending four years as a starting left tackle at the University of Southern California. Wheeler ended up playing for the New York Giants from 2017 to 2019, and then he was signed by the Seattle Seahawks last year. 

The 27-year-old was being held in King County Jail. He was charged with suspicion of felony domestic violence in King County District Court on Monday, according to The Seattle Times. His bail was set at $400,000 and a judge ordered him to surrender his weapons while also staying away from the woman. 

Wheeler was released on the $400,000 bond Tuesday, NBC Sports reported. 

When asked for a statement, the Seattle Seahawks would only say, “We are aware of the situation and still gathering information.”

After facing significant backlash for that statement, they released a longer statement on Wednesday. The team announced that Wheeler was a free agent and was no longer with the team. 

"The Seahawks are saddened by the details emerging against Chad Wheeler and strongly condemn this act of domestic violence. Our thoughts and support are with the victim," the team statement said.

"Chad is a free agent and no longer with the team. We encourage Chad to get the help he needs," the team added. 

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