Position: Wide receiver
Height / Weight: 5’11” / 192 lbs
College: Ohio State University
NFL draft: 2006 / Round: 1 / Pick: 25
Career history: Pittsburgh Steelers (2006–2009), New York Jets (2010–2013), Chicago Bears (2014)
On June 19, 2006, in Franklin County, OH, Santonio Holmes was arrested and charged with domestic violence and assault stemming from an alleged incident with the mother of one of his children. In a police report, LaShae Boone said that Holmes, “chok[ed her], [threw] her to the ground, grabb[ed] her arms, and slamm[ed] her into a door, leaving her with bruises, pain, and a torn shirt.” Holmes pleaded not guilty to the charges. Boone would not testify in court.
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The charges were later dismissed by a Franklin County Municipal Court judge after Holmes’ two lawyers said that their client would participate in ongoing counseling offered through the NFL. In an interview with press after the hearing, Holmes said, “It doesn’t mean anger management classes. It just means I needed someone else to talk with about all the situations and to get an understanding of what was going on.”
On March 24, 2010, in Orange County, FL, a woman named Anshonae Mills filed a lawsuit against Holmes seeking $15,000 in damages for assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
According to court documents submitted by Mills’ attorney and obtained by Broadly, Holmes allegedly confronted Mills in the VIP section of an Orlando club. Holmes demanded that Mills leave the area of the VIP section in which she was sitting, claiming that she was in his seat. Holmes then allegedly “put his hand in [Mills’] face” in an attempt to physically remove her. According to the court documents, Mills grabbed his hand to keep him from hitting her. An argument ensued, and Holmes allegedly threw “his entire glass cup of liquor” in Mills’ face. It resulted in a cut above her eye.
Outside the club, Mills located a police officer and asked the officer to “reprimand” Holmes. According to her complaint, Holmes informed Mills that “he was an NFL football player and he could not face criminal charges.” Instead, Holmes allegedly offered to give Mills money because “he could not get into trouble.”
According to her complaint, Mills claimed that she “felt pressure” from Holmes and the Orlando Police Department not to press charges. She made a brief statement to the police, but the police failed to write a police report. Mills decided to press charges in April 2010; according to court documents, Holmes denied all charges. In June 2011, the case was dismissed after Mills filed a motion for voluntary dismissal. The NFL did not take any disciplinary action against Holmes.
Holmes did not return Broadly’s request for comment.