ARIZONA CARDINALS

Former Cardinal Adrian Wilson addresses domestic violence arrest; charges dismissed

Sep 4, 2024, 11:19 AM | Updated: 11:24 am

Adrian Wilson mug shot...

Former Arizona Cardinals safety and executive Adrian Wilson was arrested on domestic violence charges in Scottsdale on June 1, 2024. (Scottsdale Police Photo)

(Scottsdale Police Photo)

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.”

“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.

Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray looks to throw during his team's Week 10 win over the New York Je...

Tyler Drake

Kyler Murray ‘not satisfied’ by 4-game win streak, Week 10 effort vs. Jets

Arizona Cardinals franchise quarterback Kyler Murray is hungry for more following his team's fourth straight win on Sunday afternoon.

8 hours ago

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray...

Arizona Sports

Rapid reactions: Cardinals keep winning form going in annihilation of Jets

The Cardinals continued a trend on Sunday of dominant showings at home, with the latest instance being a beatdown of Aaron Rodgers and the Jets.

9 hours ago

Arizona Cardinals S Budda Baker celebrates midgame. The safety reached 100 tackles for the season a...

Tyler Drake

Budda Baker notches 5th season with at least 100 tackles

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker needed just 10 games to hit the 100-tackle mark in 2024 after registering nine against the New York Jets.

9 hours ago

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray...

Dan Bickley

Kyler Murray showing everything as Cardinals are becoming offensive juggernaut

Pinch yourself. The Arizona Cardinals and quarterback Kyler Murray are starting to look like the juggernaut that they are on paper.

10 hours ago

Arizona Cardinals RB James Conner runs the rock against the New York Jets. The Cardinals remain ato...

Tyler Drake

Cardinals head into bye week with NFC West lead in hand

The Arizona Cardinals kept their NFC West lead intact behind an absolute throttling of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Jets on Sunday.

10 hours ago

Arizona Cardinals offense during its Week 10 game against the New York Jets....

Tyler Drake

Cardinals pick up where they left off with dominant win vs. Jets

Just about everything is going right for the Arizona Cardinals midway through their Week 10 game against the New York Jets.

11 hours ago

Former Cardinal Adrian Wilson addresses domestic violence arrest; charges dismissed