Bears DL Mario Edwards facing assault charge

Bears defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. has been charged with misdemeanor assault after an incident with a woman Oct. 17, the night before the Bears played the Panthers in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Edwards, 26, was issued a summons on Oct. 20, but a court date has not yet been set, according to a spokesperson for the Mecklenburg County District Attorney’s Office.

Just after midnight on Oct. 18, police responded to reports of a woman hitting a man with her hand and scratching his forehead at the Hilton Charlotte City Center, according to police documents obtained by the Sun-Times. Both Edwards and the woman were characterized as victims in the report. Both had minor bruises and scratches.

The summons came to light Tuesday after TMZ Sports cited court documents in which the accuser — with whom Edwards was familiar — claims he struck her eye with his hand and dragged her out of his hotel room after she began recording him during an argument sometime between 10 and 11:30 p.m. The accuser claims Edwards also struck her in the arm after walking from the hotel room to an elevator.

According to the police report, the woman, who said she was pregnant, went to the hospital and was released an hour later. Edwards was not treated.

Responding to the Sun-Times, Edwards’ agent, Peter Schaffer, denied the allegations.

“Mario and myself are strong proponents that there is no place anywhere in our society for domestic violence,” he said.

Schaffer acknowledged there was a verbal argument in the hotel room but said he was “proud” of Edwards for trying to de-escalate matters. Schaffer claimed the accuser made a “money play” in recent weeks, seeking compensation from Edwards through his agent.

The NFL is reviewing the matter with regard to its personal conduct policy, league spokesman Brian McCarthy said. The NFL also could fine Edwards for allowing someone inside his hotel room. Coronavirus protocols dictate that players, coaches and staff cannot interact with anyone outside their traveling party when on the road this season.

“We are aware of the situation involving Mario Edwards Jr.,” the Bears said in a statement. “We are doing our due diligence to thoroughly review and understand the facts. We take any allegation of this nature very seriously, both internally and with the NFL.”

Edwards signed a one-year deal with the Bears after the Saints cut him in early September. He’s tied for second on the team with four sacks after he had two in Sunday’s win against the Texans.