New England Patriots defensive lineman Christian J. Barmore is confronting a criminal charge of domestic assault and battery following allegations made by his girlfriend to police.
The Alleged Incident in Mansfield
According to a criminal complaint filed on 18 December, the 26-year-old athlete is accused of an altercation at his home in Mansfield, Massachusetts, on 8 August. The complaint states that Barmore allegedly took the woman's mobile phone, threw her to the ground, and grabbed her by her shirt.
The woman reported the incident to Mansfield Police on 25 August, nearly three weeks after it occurred. She told officers that during a dispute, Barmore was upset over the home's thermostat being set two degrees warmer than he liked. When she entered his bedroom with their daughter, she claims he placed the child on the floor outside the room and slammed the door.
Escalation and Aftermath
Later that day, as the woman packed to leave, the criminal complaint alleges Barmore took her phone, disconnecting a call with her mother. When she moved towards the front door to call for help, he reportedly "grabbed her before she could and threw her to the floor."
She told police he grabbed her shirt but eventually let go. The woman provided officers with a photograph showing bruises she said resulted from being thrown down. A car provided by the New England Patriots organisation subsequently collected the woman and the child, driving them to Delaware.
Team Response and Legal Process
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel addressed the situation, noting Barmore was away from the team due to illness on Wednesday but had not heard anything that would rule him out for Sunday's game. Vrabel stated the team had "taken the allegations very seriously" and would let the legal process run its course.
The Patriots' public relations office issued a statement confirming the organisation was aware of the matter when it occurred and had notified the league. "The matter remains part of an ongoing legal process. We will respect that process, continue to monitor the situation closely, as we have over the past few months, and cooperate fully with the league," the statement read.
Barmore's lawyer, David Meier, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An arraignment for the misdemeanour charge is scheduled for early February. The case adds to off-field concerns for the Patriots, as receiver Stefon Diggs also faces separate felony and misdemeanour assault charges.
Barmore, a second-round draft pick in 2021 from the University of Alabama, remains a key part of the Patriots' defensive line as the legal proceedings develop.
