Cowboys’ C.J. Spillman under investigation for sexual assault
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Version 0 of 1. Dallas Cowboys safety C.J. Spillman is under investigation by police in Texas for an alleged sexual assault that occurred at a Dallas-area hotel on Sept. 20. The incident occurred Sept. 20 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Grapevine, Tex., where, according to ESPN Dallas reporters Calvin Watkins and Todd Archer, recently signed Cowboys players live until they find apartments. Spillman, a seventh-year veteran who has played mostly on special teams this season, was signed by Dallas on Sept. 1 after getting cut by the San Francisco 49ers right before the regular season began. He has played in all four Cowboys games this season. Spillman has yet to be charged by police. Less than 24 hours before the alleged assault, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell held a news conference to talk about the league’s handling of sexual assault cases in the wake of an incident involving Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice. The incident occurred early on Sept. 20, and the team flew to St. Louis for a game against the Rams later that day. According to ESPN Dallas, the NFL was aware of the Spillman incident before it was revealed to the public, and has sought to interview his accuser. Attorney Gloria Allred earlier Wednesday sent a letter to Jeff Pash, the NFL’s executive vice president and general counsel regarding the alleged assault. In the letter, Allred said Pash invited the alleged victim to be interviewed by NFL investigators “on a confidential and appropriate basis.” Allred’s letter raises concern about the type of interview her client might have with league officials. “The fact that you chose to make public your requests to interview our client confidentially causes us concern about whether the interview itself would be kept confidential or tweeted out by you as you did with your letter to me,” Allred’s letter to Pash said. “However, I am willing to meet with you to discuss your request and also to learn the answers to our important questions posed in my original letter to you (which was not shared with the press).” Attorney Gloria Allred earlier Wednesday sent a letter to Jeff Pash, the NFL’s executive vice president and general counsel regarding the alleged assault. In the letter, Allred said Pash invited the alleged victim to be interviewed by NFL investigators “on a confidential and appropriate basis.” Allred’s letter raises concern about the type of interview her client might have with league officials. “The fact that you chose to make public your requests to interview our client confidentially causes us concern about whether the interview itself would be kept confidential or tweeted out by you as you did with your letter to me,” Allred’s letter to Pash said. “However, I am willing to meet with you to discuss your request and also to learn the answers to our important questions posed in my original letter to you (which was not shared with the press).” Cowboys Coach Jason Garrett recently told the team that any player accused of sexual assault would not be allowed to play. “Part of what our jobs are as coaches is to create the right environment for our players to function both on and off the field,” Garrett said, per the Dallas Morning News. “So we need to be clear about where we are. We need to be clear that we have a structure in place to help anybody who has any off-the-field issues.” The Cowboys have yet to announce Spillman’s status for Sunday’s home game against the Houston Texans. |