Pittsburgh Steelers Waive Chris Rainey Following Arrest for Battery

The Pittsburgh Steelers have waived running back Chris Rainey after he was arrested in Florida early Thursday morning after he allegedly slapped his girlfriend. Rainey was charged with simple battery and remains in police custody as of Thursday afternoon.

Rainey’s girlfriend didn’t report any injuries, nor did Rainey. Police say that it was a witness that called 911 to report the incident, not Rainey’s girlfriend. He allegedly slapped her during an argument over a cell phone.

The Miami Herald broke the story of Rainey’s arrest earlier today:

"According to the written report from [the Gainesville Police Department], witnesses said Rainey went to the passenger side of the car and pulled his girlfriend out of the car, slapping her across the face and causing both to fall to the ground. Rainey chased after her, again trying to obtain his cell phone that was in the female’s purse, grabbing it and causing both to fall to the ground again."

Rainey was a rookie this past season for the Steelers, having been selected in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He played his college days at the University of Florida, which explains why he was back in Gainesville. Rainey had a lot going for him, as he had signed a four year deal with the Steelers back in May and given the general uncertainty the Steelers have at the running back position, he could have been in line to see a serious work load next season.

During the 2012 season, Rainey played in all 16 of the Steelers games, totaling 102 yards and scoring two touchdowns.

But as we see so often in the NFL, when a player is outside his controlled environment, things tend to get a lot less glamorous for everyone involved. The Steelers wasted no time in waiving Rainey, as the incident reported happened earlier that morning. He remains in police custody awaiting his first court appearance.