Packers Backfield Star Claims New Evidence Disputes Police Records

The Green Bay Packers' return to the field has coincided with a fresh legal battle over the credibility of their star running back, who is facing renewed scrutiny following a police records release. Josh Jacobs, who resumed playing last week after a six-week suspension, has lawyers who argue that newly public allegations against him lack substance.

Hobart-Lawrence police released investigation files on Friday, detailing accounts from three women who reported incidents with Jacobs between 2021 and 2023. These records came out after Jacobs pleaded no contest on Sept. 10 to misdemeanor battery and property damage charges stemming from a May altercation with his then-girlfriend. The release triggered an immediate response from Jacobs' legal team, who issued statements over the weekend to address the specific claims.

Attorneys David Z. Chesnoff, Richard A. Schonfeld, and Clarence F. Duchac III characterized the three new accounts as "old, are hearsay, and easily disproven." They noted that the Brown County District Attorney's office had possession of these uncorroborated claims for months before police made them public. The lawyers stated that Jacobs is meeting court requirements and that his legal team is responding in detail to protect his career from what they described as unfair character attacks.

The legal team pointed out that one of the women had previously reported her claim to the NFL, which reviewed the matter and decided no action was warranted. Jacobs' lawyers said their client retains evidence that supports his version of events and the league's prior decision. The NFL confirmed its investigation remains ongoing and stated it would review the newly released police records as part of that process.

The police records include specific details from each woman's report. One woman, who contacted police after Jacobs' arrest, described a January 2022 incident where she said Jacobs slapped her, threw her phone in a pool, and pinned her to a bed. Another woman reported an April 2021 incident where she claimed Jacobs pushed her against a wall, though police records from that time noted they observed no visible signs of injury. The third woman described a May 2022 altercation in which she said Jacobs grabbed her hair and took her phone.

Jacobs' lawyers addressed the third claim by stating the woman came to his home in Las Vegas at his invitation and that another person was present for part of the stay. They also noted that a different woman made a claim only after Jacobs called Las Vegas police to report her for misconduct. The original May case that led to the plea deal involved a garage altercation where police said Jacobs threw his girlfriend to the ground and took her phone, an account corroborated by surveillance footage.