Raiders releasing another former first-round pick
The Las Vegas Raiders are releasing their other 2020 first-round draft pick Damon Arnette less than a week after releasing Henry Ruggs III.
The former Ohio State cornerback has had a short, tumultuous tenure with the Raiders. His recent antics are especially troubling, however.
Damon Arnette posted videos on social media that included death threats. Along with threatening words, the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, native waved a gun around at the camera.
“On everything I love, I will kill you,” Arnette can be heard saying in one of the videos.
The signs of trouble started early on for Damon Arnette with the Raiders. In 2020, Arnette reportedly crashed four rental cars in the span of a month.
Bad month for the Raiders
Las Vegas general manager Mike Mayock confirmed the move to release Damon Arnette on Monday.
“Very painful decision,” Mayock said, per ESPN.com. “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 bottom line — the Raiders will not tolerate this type of behavior.”
The Raiders have had a month they’ll never forget, in the worst way. One month ago, head coach Jon Gruden’s first emails leaked. Two days and more leaked emails later, Gruden resigned.
On Nov. 2, Damon Arnette’s NFL draft-round mate Henry Ruggs killed a young woman and a dog in a car crash. He survived the crash after driving 156 miles per hour and is charged with DUI resulting in death. The Raiders released Ruggs from the team that same day.
The Raiders are 2-2 over that time span after starting the season with a 3-1 record. To help with the gaps at receiver, Las Vegas picked up free agent veteran DeSean Jackson on Sunday.
More on Arnette
Damon Arnette has been on the injured reserve list for the Las Vegas Raiders since October 9. His career in Vegas ends after just 13 games played and three total passes defensed over two seasons.
Arnette spent five years at Ohio State, playing 53 games and starting 38 times at cornerback. He recorded 140 tackles, four tackles for loss, and five interceptions as a Buckeye.
The 6-foot corner went to St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Florida.
Damon Arnette is also facing a $500,000 lawsuit from an altercation with a valet driver at Aria Resort and Casino. The cornerback’s lawyers have filed a countersuit.