Miami Dolphins outside linebackers coach Ryan Crow is on indefinite leave following his arrest on a battery charge, accused of choking his girlfriend in a domestic violence incident.
Crow is free on bond after being arrested Aug. 29 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He was charged with one misdemeanor count of striking or battery and has pleaded not guilty, according to online court records.
Crow was beginning his eighth NFL season and his second with the Dolphins.
911 Caller Says Crow Choked His Girlfriend
A woman who dialed 911 to report the Aug. 28 incident claimed she saw Crow choking his girlfriend, according to audio of the call obtained by TMZ Sports.
The caller said she saw Crow and a woman at about 11:45 p.m. arguing at an apartment complex in Fort Lauderdale before the incident turned physical.
“There’s a domestic going on. A guy started, like, choking his girl outside, and then they went back inside upstairs to their floor and we heard him, like, slam her,” the 911 caller said. “So, it would be a domestic going on right now.”
The witness added that no weapons were involved, asserting that the dispute was purely physical.
“He started choking her around 11:45,” she said. “And then they went back upstairs and we can hear them fighting.”
Police Report Shows Other Witnesses’ Accounts
Shortly after midnight on Friday, Fort Lauderdale police reported that officers were dispatched to the 200 block of South Federal Highway in response to calls about a domestic disturbance, according to an incident report obtained by the Miami Herald.
Police say Crow and the woman he’s accused of battering live together and got into a fight over past relationships. Crow first shoved her, according to witnesses.
“Witness 1 stated he observed Defendant with his arms around the victim as if he was going to perform a takedown. Witness further stated that the victim’s legs were off the ground and Defendant was whispering things into her ear. Victim looked terrified,” according to the report.
A second witness said they saw Crow “throwing slaps and trying to grapple the victim,” according to the report.
Police said the woman claimed she was not injured and refused to give a statement.
Crow is being represented by attorney Michael Gottlieb.
“I have entered a not guilty (plea) deeply on behalf of Mr. Crow,” Gottlieb told Heavy Sports.
Miami Dolphins Respond to Allegations
The Dolphins responded by issuing a statement.
“We are aware of the serious matter involving Ryan Crow and currently gathering more information,” the team said. “Ryan has been placed on administrative leave effective immediately. We have been in communication with the NFL and will reserve further comment at this time.
On Sept. 1, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters that Crow will remain on leave and is being replaced by Sean Ryan. McDaniel offered no hint as to whether Crow could possibly return to the staff.
“We’re going to let the process play out,” McDaniel said. “The allegations we take extremely serious.
“Rule number one for our team is protect the team. The headlines are ‘Dolphins‘ and they affect all players, all coaches, all staff members, all fans, all media members. And to be on a team, it’s a blessing that you have to have regard for things much better than yourself.”
Dolphins’ Assistant Ryan Crow Faces Battery Charge as 911 Call Emerges