Falcons’ defensive lineman Ra’Shede Hageman charged with domestic violence
Atlanta Falcons’ defensive lineman Ra’Shede Hageman was inactive for Sunday’s game, and now there’s some possible insight to why.
The Atlanta Falcons started the 2016 in disappointing fashion on Sunday, with a 31-24 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Defensive end Ra’Shede Hageman, who started 11 games in 2015 and was not known to be injured, was surprisingly inactive for the game. Now, there’s news suggesting why that was the case.
According to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Hageman was charged with domestic violence stemming from an incident in March. The incident reportedly involved the mother of his child, and Hageman was charged with battery family violence, interference with an emergency call and third degree cruelty to children.
All three charges are misdemeanors, and DeKalb County court records reportedly show that Hageman has been released from custody.
The Falcons’ suggested the reason Hageman was de-activated was because they expected to play a lot of nickel defense, and they preferred Courtney Upshaw for the role. Hageman is not a pass rusher by trade, with two career sacks in 32 games. But a mediocre defense needs all the talent on the field it can get, and a game day scheme fit feels like a convenient excuse to bench Hageman.
Ledbetter further reported the NFL is in contact with the Falcons about Hageman’s situation, which is not surprising. The legal issues surrounding the incident appear to be wrapped up — Hageman did not go to jail and there is no apparent court date in the future. So the league seems to be free to levy discipline, if they deem it necessary, and the Falcons have already effectively suspended Hageman for a game.
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Hageman was a second-round pick (37th overall) out of Minnesota in 2014, and he has underachieved thus far in his career. This was looking like a make-or-break season for Hageman, and he’s clearly off on the wrong foot.