KENT, Wash. — Former Seattle Seahawks player Chad Wheeler was found guilty of assault on Thursday in connection to the beating of his then-girlfriend in 2021.
Wheeler, a former offensive lineman, was found guilty of first-degree assault and second-degree assault. He was found not guilty on a third charge of unlawful imprisonment.
The minimum sentence for first-degree assault in Washington is five years in jail. He will stay in King County Jail until his sentencing, which is scheduled for Dec. 14.
On Jan. 22, 2021, the two got into a fight at a Kent apartment, that later turned physical.
Wheeler's then-girlfriend called 911 and told operators she thought Wheeler was going to kill her.
In a statement to the court in February 2021, she described the abuse inflicted by Wheeler.
"When Chad attacked me, he first sat on top of me, choked me, stuffed his fingers down my throat and covered my nose and mouth with his hands. I begged him to stop. When I tried to get away, he broke and dislocated my arm," the statement said.
According to initial police reports, Wheeler did not comply when officers arrived and tried to detain him.
After he was detained, Wheeler was "yelling 'Sorry!' repeatedly and heard crying out, 'I don't beat women!'" according to the police report.
Following Wheeler's arrest, the Seahawks cut him from the team. Wheeler then apologized on Twitter.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. Additional resources are available on the Washington State Department of Health's website.