Getty Mark Walton #22 of the Miami Dolphins was released by the team after disturbing allegations were revealed Tuesday. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
The Miami Dolphins waived running back Mark Walton Tuesday morning after the team said it was made aware of what was referred to as “a police matter.” The news came in a statement which the Dolphins released on Twitter and stems from accusations that Walton punched a woman and was then arrested.
The Dolphins statement on Walton’s release read as follows:
“We were made aware of a police matter earlier this morning regarding Mark Walton,” Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said. “We hold our players to a high standard and take these matters very seriously. We will have no further comment at this time.”
We have waived running back Mark Walton.
Later Tuesday morning, FOX Sports 640’s Andy Slater tweeted that Walton had been arrested early Tuesday morning in South Florida. The reasons for Walton’s arrest, according to Slater, were that Walton allegedly punched a woman in the face “several times.” Slater also noted that this woman was pregnant and that she was five weeks pregnant with Walton’s child.
SLATER SCOOP: Mark Walton was arrested early Tuesday morning in South Florida.
The RB is accused of punching a woman “several times in the face and head,” an exclusively-obtained document says.
Police say the woman is 5 weeks pregnant and Walton is the father.
Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report also reported on the incident early on, which has not been commented on specifically by Walton or the Miami Dolphins. His accuser has not publicly spoken on the alleged incident yet.
According to Cameron Wolfe of ESPN, a police document received by ESPN provided a few details regarding the alleged incident.
Mark Walton Arrested For Allegedly Punching Pregnant Woman
Walton allegedly pushed the woman into a wall, and the officer on the scene noticed swelling by her left eye. Wolfe also reported that the alleged incident took place at 4:15 AM Tuesday morning in Davie, Florida after an alleged argument between Walton and the woman.
At present, Walton is being booked at Broward County jail. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo said on Twitter that the police report states that Walton had learned that the alleged victim was pregnant with his child just two days ago.
Police report on former Dolphins RB Mark Walton alleges he pushed a woman against a wall and punched her several times in the face and head this morning. The report states he learned two days ago the woman was pregnant with his child.
Walton has been serving a four-game suspension, which was handed down by the NFL in early November in relation to three offseason arrests Walton had, per ESPN. Walton violated both the NFL’s personal conduct and substance abuse policies.
Walton is only 22 years old, and is in his second NFL season. He was originally drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals, and spent his rookie year with them, but was released after he was arrested three times. The Dolphins picked him up in spite of his previous record and subsequently released him after his fourth arrest.
Walton has played in 21 total games while starting four in his career. He has 67 rushes for 235 yards (3.5 yard career average) and has no career touchdowns. The best game of his career was this season in Week 7 against the Buffalo Bills, in which he rushed for 66 yards on 14 carries.
We will keep you posted on any new developments surrounding this story.
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