NFL: San Francisco 49ers release Ray McDonald amid sexual assualt investigation
Thursday 18 December 2014 10:53, UK
Defensive lineman Ray McDonald has been released by the San Francisco 49ers amid an investigation by San Jose police into suspicion of sexual assault.
San Jose Police Department revealed detectives searched McDonald's San Jose home after an area hospital notified police on Tuesday night that a woman was seeking treatment.
According to police, the woman told them she was "possibly" sexually assaulted by McDonald but no arrests have been made or charges filed at this stage.
McDonald was arrested on August 31 after a domestic violence incident but no charges were filed on that occasion and the 30-year-old has played in all the 49ers’ games this season.
49ers general manager Trent Baalke said this latest incident was the final straw for the team.
"We as an organization have notified (McDonald) and his agent that he will be terminated, released immediately," said Baalke.
"While this organization has a strong belief in due process and has demonstrated that over time, Ray has demonstrated a pattern of poor decision-making that has led to multiple distractions for this organization and this football team that can no longer be tolerated."
McDonald signed a five-year contract with the 49ers on July 29, 2011 and has appeared in 115 games since being selected in the third round of the 2007 draft by San Francisco.
