Former Cardinal Adrian Wilson addresses domestic violence arrest; charges dismissed

Former Arizona Cardinals safety Adrian Wilson offered a public statement on Wednesday after two of three charges were dismissed from a domestic violence arrest on June 1.

Wilson, who most recently worked for the Carolina Panthers, was accused of assaulting his wife and threatening to kill himself in June after she found out he had an affair and wanted a divorce, according to a Scottsdale police report.

He was arrested on charges of assault, criminal damage and disorderly conduct. TMZ reports charges of assault and criminal damage were dropped, while he will seek a pre-trial diversion program for the disorderly conduct charge.

In a police interview after the incident in June, Wilson denied assaulting his wife and did so in his statement on Wednesday.

“Yesterday, after several long months, I appeared before a City of Scottsdale judge to address charges resulting from a verbal dispute bewteen my wife, Alicia, and me,” Wilson said in a statement. “After learning there was absolutely no physical altercation, two of the three misdemeanor charges filed by the Scottsdale City Attorney’s Office were dismissed.”

Here’s my public statement after yesterday’s court hearing. 2 of 3 charges DISMISSED! 3rd will be soon. Thank you to all who supported my family and me during this difficult time. #Grateful @espn @nfl @theobserver @AZSports @sinow @AP pic.twitter.com/7YtvjJFKxE

— Adrian Wilson (@adrian_wilson24) September 4, 2024

“With the hearing behind me, I can now begin the process of healing from this very unfortunate incident and the embarrassment it has brought to my family and me,” Wilson added. “I deeply regret my actions on June 1 and recommit to being a better person and father. I have learned a great deal and look forward to rebuilding my relationship with my kids, lending my 20+ years of expertise, once again, to the game of football, and supporting community and non-profit causes I believe in.”

What led to Adrian Wilson’s arrest?

Wilson, 44, was drunk and returned to his family’s Scottsdale home around 1 a.m. on June 1 and found separation papers from his wife, according to the police report obtained by Arizona Sports.

He then went to the home and got into an argument with Alicia in her bedroom, the report said. Adrian Wilson threw several items, including a lamp and incense holder, before being accused of choking and pushing his wife, according to the police report.

Adrian Wilson then retrieved a Glock handgun from a safe. Alicia Wilson had removed the magazines, so she did not believe it was loaded, according to the police report. Shortly after, Alicia Wilson was able to leave the house and drove to a nearby friend’s residence, the report said.

The couple’s three children were in the home at the time of the assault, according to the report.

Wilson then got into his vehicle and drove around, calling multiple people, including his mother and daughter. He told his mother he wanted to shoot himself and “felt the urge because I felt like nobody cared,” according to the police report. He was arrested upon returning home.

Alicia Wilson told police in an interview that she hired a private investigator, who discovered her husband was having an affair.

Adrian Wilson admitted to the affair and said “I was going through something there and I needed you and you weren’t there for me and she restored me and helped put me back together,” according to the police report.

Wilson was hired as vice president of player personnel for the Panthers in 2023 after working in a variety of roles within the Cardinals’ scouting department following his playing career.

Alicia Wilson and the rest of the family did not move to Charlotte after her husband took the job, according to the police report.

The couple hadn’t seen each other for six months prior to the incident, according to the report.

Who is Adrian Wilson?

After getting selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft, Wilson spent 12 seasons in Arizona, earning five Pro Bowl selections and a 2009 All-Pro selection. He signed on with the New England Patriots in 2013 and the Chicago Bears the following offseason but never recorded a snap for either.

He became the 15th member of the Cardinals Ring of Honor in 2015.

He joined the Cardinals’ front office as a scout in 2015 and was promoted to director of pro scouting and VP of pro scouting.

Wilson then served as Arizona’s co-interim general manager at the end of the 2022 season after Steve Keim took an indefinite leave of absence.

Follow @AZSports