Ray McDonald Cleared of Violating NFL’s Conduct Policy
Oct 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Ray McDonald (91) during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi
Ray McDonald may not be completely out of the woods but one of the newest Chicago Bears got over a big hurdle when he was cleared of violating the league’s personal conduct policy related to a domestic violence charge against him.
"‘‘We have completed that [domestic-violence] investigation,’’ NFL general counsel Jeff Pash said during the Associated Press Sports Editors meetings. ‘‘[Special counsel for investigations] Lisa [Friel] and her team completed that investigation [and] did not establish a violation of the personal-conduct policy. We informed the player and the [NFL] Players Association.’’"
McDonald was arrested last August on a domestic violence charge, but no charges were filed due to a lack of evidence. The NFL’s investigators seem to agree.
But McDonald still has to deal with a sexual assault allegation that ended his tenure with the 49ers. McDonald was cut just hours after the sexual assault allegation became public. The NFL is still investigating those charges:
"‘‘The sexual-assault incident, that investigation is ongoing. That has not been completed, nor has the district attorney’s office in Santa Clara County completed their investigation into that matter.’’"
McDonald counter-sued the woman who accused him of sexual assault, claiming defamation of character. Chicago Bears new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who spent the last few seasons with McDonald in San Francisco, was shocked at the allegations against McDonald:
"‘‘[Fangio] felt he was one of the leaders on the defense, him and [end] Justin Smith,’’ Fox said. ‘‘Teammates thought very highly of him, and you’re around your teammates a lot in this business. The fact that he was a good, physical, tough football player, we were more concerned with some other areas that we deemed well enough to sign him.’’"
Ryan Pace and John Fox went out on a limb for McDonald, an interesting move for a new GM and head coach. The Bears, headed by matriarch Virginia McCaskey, are a pretty conservative organization. Pace knew enough to consult with George McCaskey, who even spoke to his mother about the signing. With the first of his off-field troubles behind him, it looks like the move is paying off. Let’s hope that McDonald is cleared of the remaining allegations and he and the Bears can move on to the business of football.