Former Giants Linebacker Michael Boley Was Arrested For Child Abuse In February

Former New York Giants linebacker Michael Boley was arrested for child abuse in February just three days after he was cut from the team, it was revealed today. 

Boley, 30, had been under investigation in Alabama stemming from a 2011 incident involving his then-5-year-old son. 

The details of the case involving the ex-NFL star have been under wraps, but sources told the gossip site TMZ.com that the alleged abuse was physical and not sexual in nature. 

The starting linebacker in Super Bowl XLVI was set to go before a grand jury in February, but he reached a plea agreement with the prosecution. 

The 30-year-old father of six admitted to child abuse, and in exchange was ordered to enter a pre-trial diversion program. Upon completing the course, the charge would be dropped against Boley, who indicated that he intends to comply with these conditions.

As part of the plea deal, the football player was also required to turn himself in February 8 in Etowah County, Alabama. He was released without posting a bond later that day. 

Boley, who was first drafted in 2005 by the Atlanta Falcons, ended his career with the Giants on February 5, just three days before his arrest. He is currently a free agent.

Boley has been one of the more productive players in the NFL over his career, which included four years apiece with the Giants and the Falcons, who chose him in the fifth round of the NFL draft out of Southern Mississippi University. Over the course of his eight years in the NFL, Boley made 685 tackles, had 9.5 quarterback sacks, and eight interceptions.

The Giants signed him to a free agent contract worth 25 million dollars over a five-year commitment. The Giants released him on February 5th, leading to speculation they knew what was going to happen to Boley with regards to his personal legal and family issues.