Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Justyn Ross was arrested on Monday in Shawnee, Kansas, and charged with a felony of criminal damage of more than $25,000, according to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. The Chiefs said they are aware of the arrest, but have no comment at this time.
What happened?
According to the booking and release report, Ross was booked on Monday afternoon and is being held without bond. He has a court date scheduled for Tuesday. The details of the incident that led to his arrest are not yet clear, but the charge of criminal damage indicates that he caused significant property damage to someone else.
Who is Justyn Ross?
Ross is a 23-year-old wide receiver who joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent out of Clemson in 2022. He was a star player for the Tigers, catching 112 passes for 1,865 yards and 17 touchdowns in his college career. He missed the 2020 season due to a spinal injury that required surgery, but he recovered and signed with the Chiefs after going undrafted.
Ross made the Chiefs’ 53-man roster as a rookie and has played in seven games this season, catching three passes for 34 yards. He played 25% of the offensive snaps in Sunday’s 31-17 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, but did not record any statistics.
How will this affect the Chiefs?
The Chiefs have not issued any statement regarding Ross’ status with the team, but it is possible that he could face disciplinary action from both the team and the NFL. The league has a personal conduct policy that applies to all players and employees, and it states that “conduct by anyone in the league that is illegal, violent, dangerous, or irresponsible puts innocent victims at risk, damages the reputation of others in the game, and undercuts public respect and support for the NFL.”
The policy also says that “the league may take disciplinary action against any player or employee who engages in conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the NFL.” The disciplinary action could include fines, suspensions, or even banishment from the league.
The Chiefs are currently leading the AFC West with a 5-2 record and are looking to make another run at the Super Bowl. They have a talented and deep receiving corps that includes Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Mecole Hardman, Demarcus Robinson, Byron Pringle, and Josh Gordon. Ross is not a key contributor to the offense, but he is a young and promising player who could have a bright future in the league if he can overcome this setback.
