Houston Texans veteran safety Jimmie Ward was arrested on June 12 on charges of felony assault family violence. Ward posted his $30,000 bail and was released later that day. He has now learned the next steps in his legal process.
According to KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson, Ward could be heard telling a judge, “Yes, ma’am,” when asked if he understood the charges brought against him.
Ward also received the date for his next court appearance.
#Texans safety Jimmie Ward assigned July 16 court appearance in Montgomery County on felony domestic violence case involving baby’s mother,” Wilson initially reported in a post on X on June 16.
Ward, 33, is entering his third season with the Texans.
“We believe that Jimmie will be vindicated,” Ward’s attorney, Steve Jackson, told Wilson in comments published on June 17. “We just ask that the public reserve judgment so that we can show everyone that the Jimmie Ward they all know is the same person and did not do this.”
Jackson’s statement is the latest, with the NFL and the Texans having already weighed in on Ward’s situation.
Further Details Emerge From Jimmie Ward’s Arrest
GettyJimmie Ward #20 of the Houston Texans takes the field before a game against the Miami Dolphins.
According to Wilson, the assistant district attorney read off the victim’s statement. It detailed that Ward, “slapped her in the face, strangled her and threatened to kill her. She stated that she felt pain in her throat and was unable to breathe before she was able to get him off of her and get out of the house and call 911.”
The ADA went on to say that Ward “declined to speak with officers” on the scene. He instead directed them to contact his lawyer.” Ward is on GPS monitoring and is not allowed to have any contact with the victim.
The Texans re-signed Ward this offseason on a one-year, $4.5 million contract.
He figured to return to a reduced role with the return of Jalen Pitre at nickelback and the addition of C.J. Gardner-Johnson via trade.
The Texans can cut Ward this offseason. However, they would save $1 million while also incurring a $4.6 million dead cap charge. A decision before the legal process plays out could be unlikely, though.
NFL, Texans Echo Similar Sentiments About Jimmie Ward
GettyJimmie Ward #20 of the Houston Texans reacts after an interception against the Detroit Lions.
Initial reports about the incident noted similar details as the ADA’s account of the victim’s statement to police.
“Montgomery County deputies responded to a report of an assault at a home in Magnolia around 4:34 a.m.,” Fox 26’s Leslie DelasBoar wrote on June 12. “According to the sheriff’s office, deputies spoke to a woman who alleged she had been assaulted, strangled and threatened by Ward, her fiancé.”
Ward notably followed Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans from the San Francisco 49ers. The latter spent two years there as defensive coordinator before moving on to Houston. The Texans would miss Ward, who had 48 total tackles, 2 picks, and 1 score in 2024, were he suspended.
The MCSO also released a statement on the issue:
“The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to protecting victims of domestic violence and holding offenders accountable through swift and thorough investigations.”
“We are aware of the matter and have been in contact with the club,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said, per KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson on June 12. “We have no further comment at this time.”
Texans senior director of communications Omar Majzoub also issued a statement, echoing the same thoughts.
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