Allen Kee / ESPN Images(NEW YORK) — The NFL said it is reopening its investigation into New York Giants kicker Josh Brown after documents were released Wednesday in which the player admitted to abusing his former wife, Molly Brown.
In March 2013, Josh Brown signed a “Contract for Change” from a counseling and consulting firm in Oregon, saying he would try to set things right with his wife. In the contract, he wrote, “I have physically, verbally and emotionally abused my wife Molly.” The contract also stated that he “controlled” her by “making her feel less human than me.”
As part of the contract, Josh Brown agreed to “journal” at least four times a week. The documents released include Josh Brown’s handwritten journal entries, which feature a list of reasons why he resents his wife, to-do lists and an admission that he “may need an anger counselor.”
In a letter to loved ones, Josh Brown wrote that he had been “a liar” for most of his life and began to abuse women at the age of 7. He also wrote that he abused his wife due to underlying issues he never addressed.
“I viewed myself as God basically and she was my slave,” Josh Brown wrote. “I carried an overwhelming sense of entitlement because I put money higher than God and I used it as a power tool.”
Josh Brown was arrested and charged with fourth-degree assault in May 2015 after an incident with his wife, according to a police report from the King County Sheriff’s Office in Washington State. It appears Brown is no longer facing charges.
The Giants knew about the arrest but still signed him to a 2-year, $4 million contract.
In a victim’s statement provided to authorities, Molly Brown said he became “super angry” because he claimed she had disrespected him and “he’s the man of the house.” She then said that she was afraid that Brown would hurt her 16-year-old son and that she called 911.
Molly Brown told police that she estimated that Josh Brown had gotten physical with her more than 10 times since they had gotten married. The victim’s statement details several instances in which Josh Brown allegedly lost his temper with her, including an incident in which he allegedly called police to tell them that she was trying to kill herself after she had spilled coffee on herself during an argument.
The documents also include photos showing a large bruise on Molly Brown’s upper leg. The King County Sheriff’s Office and King County prosecutors initially decided to postpone the filing of charges pending further investigation, ESPN reported. As of now, no charges have been filed.
Josh Brown will not be traveling with the Giants to London for their game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, the team announced Thursday afternoon, acknowledging that Josh Brown is “working” on “issues in his life” through therapy and counseling, and that the team remains supportive of his efforts.
“In light of the news reports regarding the documents released by the State of Washington yesterday, we think it makes sense to review this newly disclosed information and to revisit this issue following our trip to London,” the team said. “The Giants do not condone any form of domestic violence.”espn
The NFL had already conducted its own investigation earlier this year and suspended Josh Brown for one game for violation of the league’s conduct policy, ESPN reported.
In a statement, the NFL said it “made repeated attempts” to obtain “any and all evidence and relevant information” regarding Josh Brown’s case from the King County Sheriff’s Office. Each of those requests was denied, according to the NFL. ABC News reached out to the King County Sheriff’s Office to confirm this but did not immediately hear back.
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