AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Kansas City Chiefs rookie Xavier Worthy has been arrested on a felony domestic violence charge, marking a troubling trend for the reigning AFC champions as a second high-profile wide receiver faces legal issues in Texas within less than a year. Worthy was taken into custody on Friday and is currently held in Williamson County Jail on a charge of assault on a family or household member, specifically for impeding breath, commonly referred to as choking.
Williamson County encompasses parts of Austin, Texas, where Worthy previously played college football at the University of Texas. The Chiefs acknowledged the situation on Saturday, noting that they are still gathering information regarding the incident. Under Texas law, impeding breathing refers to intentionally or recklessly obstructing a person's normal breathing or blood circulation, typically by applying pressure to the throat or neck, or by blocking the mouth or nose. This charge constitutes a third-degree felony in Texas, carrying a potential sentence of two to ten years in prison. By Saturday morning, records indicated that Worthy had not posted bond, and no attorney was listed in jail records.
Xavier Worthy was selected by the Chiefs with the 28th overall pick in last year's NFL draft, following his record-setting performance in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He made an immediate impact in the league, scoring two touchdowns in his NFL debut and later emerging as the Chiefs' primary wide receiver as the team pursued an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl title. During the season, Worthy recorded 59 catches for 638 yards and six touchdowns, in addition to running the ball 20 times for 104 yards and three touchdowns.
His performance was particularly highlighted during Super Bowl 59, where Worthy showcased his skills by catching all eight of his targets for 157 yards and two touchdowns, although the Chiefs ultimately fell to the Philadelphia Eagles with a score of 40-22. Worthy’s growth was essential for the Chiefs, especially following an injury to fellow rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice, who had made a significant impact before getting sidelined.
Rashee Rice had initially caught 24 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns in just four games before suffering a season-ending injury. In a disturbing turn of events, Rice was involved in a high-speed car accident in March 2024, which resulted in a chain reaction on a Dallas highway. This incident has led to Rice facing at least two civil lawsuits and several criminal charges related to the crash. Following the incident, Rice turned himself in and admitted through his attorney, Texas State Senator Royce West, that he was behind the wheel of the Lamborghini implicated in the accident. Rice has publicly stated via social media that he takes responsibility for the events that transpired during the crash.
This pattern of legal troubles among the Chiefs’ wide receivers has raised concerns within the franchise and its fan base. As the team processes these recent challenges, questions surround the impact of such incidents on team dynamics and player performance moving forward. Both Worthy and Rice's situations have casting shadows over their promising NFL careers as they deal with serious allegations and the associated repercussions.
