Denver Broncos defensive end Antonio Smith is currently being investigated for suspicion of child abuse. As first reported by TMZ the investigation is still early in the process, no charges have been filed at this moment. Fort Bend County, Texas attorney John Healey is in charge of the investigation.
“My office is working with the investigating agency to review their information and further their investigation,” he said. “There is nothing imminent.”
“Last night, we became aware for the first time of an allegation involving Antonio Smith,” the Broncos said Thursday in a statement. “We are now in the process of gathering more information.”
Smith is currently on a year deal with the team after being released by Oakland this past offseason. He chose to sign with Denver, in large part because of his background with head coach Gary Kubiak, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. Smith even made a pro bowl in 2011 under Phillips defensive tutelage. Smith had high hopes for his role as a mentor for younger players this season.
“Sometimes I talk to them about technique, sometimes it’s about specific plays because I have been in this defense the majority of my career, in someway shape or form,” said Smith, a fifth-round draft choice from Oklahoma State in 2004 by the Arizona Cardinals, whom he played for five seasons. “It’s new to them. I try to help them with the terminology.”
After seeing the long drug out process Adrian Peterson went through this past offseason it appears Smith is not out of the woods by any means. The defensive line is already thin after the free agent departures of Terrance Knighton and Mitch Unrein. Nevertheless we will keep you updated when we have more information.
