NFL all-star running back Kareem Hunt was immediately terminated by the Kansas City Chiefs after hotel surveillance video clearly showed him forcefully pushing and kicking a woman in Ohio back in February.
The Chiefs cut Hunt moments after he’d been suspended indefinitely by the National Football League for the violent episode. The incident had been reported by multiple outlets in February, but Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, was the first time that the league and the public were able to see the video.
The surveillance footage, obtained and posted by TMZ, shows Hunt pushing and shoving several people who were trying to restrain him from assaulting a young woman at the Metropolitan hotel in Cleveland where Hunt had an apartment. It was to little avail as Hunt pushed the woman several times, along with the man who was trying to restrain him. At one point, Hunt pushed the man so hard that he crashed into the woman and they both careened into a wall. She may have suffered a head injury as she laid on the floor briefly.
Finally, Hunt can be seen kicking the dazed woman and knocking her back to the floor.
The Chiefs were swift in deciding to part ways with the talented but troubled offensive back out of the University of Toledo.
“Earlier this year, we were made aware of an incident involving running back Kareem Hunt,” the Chiefs said in the statement dispersed to the media, according to ESPN. “At that time, the National Football League and law enforcement initiated investigations into the issue. As part of our internal discussions with Kareem, several members of our management team spoke directly to him. Kareem was not truthful in those discussions. The video released today confirms that fact. We are releasing Kareem immediately.”
Hunt, 23, a suburban Cleveland native, was widely considered one of the league’s best at the running back position and was one of the primary weapons for the high-powered Chiefs offense. In a statement, Hunt apologized for his actions, saying, “I deeply regret what I did. I hope to move on from this.”
The NFL placed Hunt on the commissioner’s exempt list earlier Friday night. This means that if another team wants to sign Hunt, he is forbidden from playing or attending any game until the investigation is over and a decision on discipline has been made.
“The NFL’s investigation, which began immediately following the incident in February, will include a review of the new information that was made public today,” the league said.
Kansas City (9-2) has the best record and most explosive offense in the AFC and are favorites to make the Super Bowl this season. Hunt was considered a cornerstone of the franchise. As a rookie, he led the league in rushing last season. He ranks fifth so far this year with 824 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games this season. He also had seven receiving scores.
What precipitated the fight remains unclear. Hunt and the young woman were in a heated verbal altercation before things quickly degenerated to physical attacks on both sides. Hunt pushed the woman, and she hit him back in the face. Two men tried to hold Hunt back, but at one point, Hunt charged down the hall like a running back on the field, colliding with a man who then knocked the woman over.
Police were called to the scene, but no arrests were made at the time and no citations issued.
Go to the next page to view the explosive Kareem Hunt episode on the TMZ-obtained video.
