Former NFL Player Charged with Misdemeanor Domestic Battery After Release on Recognizance in Florida

Cameron Sutton, a former NFL player who was cut by the Lions after being sought in a domestic violence case, has been formally charged with one misdemeanor count of domestic battery. Sutton appeared in a Florida court and was released on his own recognizance.

The charge of domestic battery by strangulation against Sutton was initially listed as a felony, but it has since been reduced to a misdemeanor. Police responded to a call about a domestic violence incident in progress and found a female victim with injuries consistent with an assault. Despite their efforts, Sutton was not immediately located after the incident.

Sutton had signed a contract with the Lions for 2024, but he was released from the team following the charges against him. The Hillsborough County sheriff’s office made headlines when they posted on social media that Sutton was still under contract with the Lions at the time and that he was wanted for domestic violence. This led to his release from the team and voiding of his $10.5 million guaranteed salary for 2024.

Sutton and his agent are likely to challenge both the voiding of his salary and the domestic battery charge in court. It remains to be seen how this legal battle will unfold for Sutton in the coming days.