The Kansas City Chiefs have released running back Kareem Hunt after video surfaced that showed the NFL's reigning rushing champion knocking over and kicking a woman in a Cleveland hotel hallway in February.
The team issued a statement shortly after the NFL had placed Hunt on its Commissioner Exemption List that said the running back lied when asked about the incident by team officials.
The video shows Hunt being restrained several times by friends before pushing a woman to the ground, where he proceeds to kick her.
Police were called to the scene during the February 10 incident, no charges were filed.
"As part of our internal discussions with Kareem, several members of our management team spoke directly to him. Kareem was not truthful in those discussions," the Chiefs said.
The Chiefs and the NFL have been aware of Hunt's incident since it occurred, but much like the case involving former Ravens running back Ray Rice, the shocking video brought a new dimension to the case.
"I want to apologise for my actions. I deeply regret what I did," Hunt said via a statement.
Domestic violence has been a major issue in the NFL in recent years, one that struck home in Kansas City in 2012 when Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher killed his girlfriend before killing himself at the team's practice facility.
The most memorable incident came in 2014, when a video showed former Ravens running back Rice knocking out his then-fiancee in an elevator in an Atlantic City hotel.
Rice was originally suspended two games by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who later was heavily criticised for such a light penalty after the video was released.
Rice was then suspended indefinitely and although he won an appeal he was released by the Ravens and never returned to the NFL.
The league has implemented a stronger domestic violence policy, but incidents have continued to make news.
Just last weekend, the 49ers cut linebacker Reuben Foster when he was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence - he has since signed with Washington but remains on the NFL's exempt list.
