A US star has thrown his career away after a disturbing video clip of him with a gun threatening to kill somebody was posted online.
The Las Vegas Raiders released NFL star Damon Arnette on Tuesday (AEST) after a viral video showed the cornerback brandishing a gun and making threats to kill someone.
Arnette’s dismissal by the Raiders comes less than a week after the team cut receiver Henry Ruggs III following his involvement in a fatal drink-driving crash in Las Vegas.
Raiders general manager Mike Mayock said Arnette’s position at the club had become untenable after footage of the 2020 first round draft pick surfaced on social media platform TikTok showing him wielding a firearm.
“Today we waived Damon Arnette,” Mayock told reporters, describing the club’s move to jettison the player as a “very painful decision”.
“We spent significant time, effort and resources trying to help him in all aspects of his life.
“We cannot stand for the video of Damon with a gun, threatening to take a life. The content was unacceptable, contrary to our values and our owner Mark Davis has been very clear and very consistent that this is not how we will conduct ourselves in this community.
“The Raiders will not tolerate this type of behaviour.”
Arnette, 25, has been sidelined with injury since early October. He started nine games during the 2020 season.
The Raiders’ decision to fire Ruggs last week and now Arnette means the team has dismissed both of its first round picks from the 2020 draft.
Mayock said the Raiders had grounds for “significant concern” about Arnette’s character following his college career.
However the club deemed drafting him an “acceptable risk” after carrying out their own research on the player.
“Obviously we missed, and that is 100 per cent on me,” Mayock said.
Last week, Raiders receiver Ruggs was hit with felony charges of driving under the influence resulting in death and reckless driving. The 22-year-old could face up to 20 years in jail if convicted.
Prosecutors said Ruggs was two times over the legal alcohol limit and speeding at 252km/h shortly before his Corvette car smashed into a vehicle driven by a 23-year-old woman, who died in the crash.
The off-field disciplinary problems are the latest episodes in a troubled season for the Raiders, who parted company with head coach Jon Gruden after he was found to have made racist, homophobic and misogynistic comments in a series of emails.
Originally published as NFL star Damon Arnette sacked after disturbing video goes viral
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