Indianapolis Colts’ tight end Drew Ogletree is facing felony charges for domestic battery. As per Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star, Ogletree is facing charges of domestic battery committed in physical presence of a child less than 16, knowing child present and might be able to see/hear (a level 6 felony) and domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury. The Colts have since put out a statement that they’re “gathering more information”:
Colts statement: "We are aware of the disturbing allegations involving Drew Ogletree. The team takes these matters seriously. We have notified the NFL and are in the process of gathering more information. We will have no further comment at this time."
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) December 30, 2023
Ogletree's arrest and subsequent potential discipline falls under the NFL's personal conduct policy, and based on the requirements outlined in the policy, the Commissioner Exempt List is a distinct possibility https://t.co/HjI2acd1nP
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) December 30, 2023
Erickson has more details on the arrest in that Star story, writing that Ogletree was booked at 3:42 p.m. local Friday (hours after the Colts wrapped up practice), but that the incident in question took place in Indianapolis suburb Avon Monday:
Avon Police Department officers were dispatched to a domestic disturbance on Dec. 26, according to a probable cause affidavit, and found a female victim in pain and unable to move. The victim was transported to a local hospital to have injuries assessed.
The victim attempted to “smack” Ogletree, but did not hit him, according to the accounts of both parties in the probable cause affidavit. The victim told police that Ogletree “body slammed” her to the ground; Ogletree told police he pushed the victim to the ground. The victim said the fight started when she looked at Ogletree’s phone and discovered he was cheating on her, according to the affidavit.
The police took photographs at the hospital of swelling on the victim’s back.
Those are certainly horrible allegations against Ogletree. And it seems likely he’ll be at least held out of the Colts’ game Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders while the NFL investigation proceeds. There could be further team or league discipline for him down the road, in addition to any punishment from the justice system.
Ogletree was selected by the Colts in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft (192nd overall) after a college career at Findlay and Youngstown State. He missed all of last year after suffering a torn ACL in training camp. This year, he’s played in 12 games for Indianapolis (starting nine), and has recorded nine receptions for 147 yards and two touchdowns.
