Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs turned himself into Alabama authorities Thursday on two charges of second-degree animal cruelty, a misdemeanor. Buggs was released later that day on $600 bond. Court documents reveal that two dogs were found abandoned on the back porch of a home previously rented by Buggs with no access to food or water.
Isaiah Buggs Denies any Wrongdoing
https://gty.im/1411252221
Isaiah Buggs has denied any involvement with the abandonment, stating that the dogs belonged to someone else and he was unaware of them at the time he vacated the property in mid-April. He was sent a notice to vacate on April 15, after non-payment of around $3000 in rent. According to Buggs’ agent, Trey Robinson:
“Under no circumstance does Mr. Buggs condone the mistreatment of any animal. The dogs at issue did not belong to him and he was unaware they remained at the property in question.”
Dogs Left “In Direct Sunlight” for Over 10 Days
https://gty.im/79471546
The two dogs, a pit bull and a Rottweiler mix, had been abandoned for over ten days before they were found, according to a neighbor. The Rottweiler was “in a metal cage, in direct sunlight,” and neither animal had access to food or water. Both dogs were taken to a nearby shelter for treatment, but the pit bull had to be euthanized after it was determined that the animal was too aggressive and wasn’t responding to heartworm treatment.
Will the Kansas City Chiefs or the NFL Discipline Isaiah Buggs?
https://gty.im/1362434212
According to the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy, a charge of cruelty to animals is a violation and subject to investigation and disciplinary action, including fines and suspension for multiple games. Buggs would first be suspended with pay and placed on the “Commissioners Exempt List” until the NFL can conduct an investigation and determine appropriate disciplinary measures.
Players on the Commissioner’s Exempt List cannot practice, play games, or participate in football activities with the team. They may, however, use the player facilities for physical rehab and personal workouts, attend team meetings, etc.
Other Kansas City Chiefs Players Facing Discipline
https://gty.im/1460658815
The Kansas City Chiefs have had a rough offseason when it comes to player misconduct. Chiefs WR Rashee Rice is facing discipline on multiple matters, starting with a hit-and run that landed him with eight felony charges in Dallas. Rice was arrested after his involvement in a street race that led to a six-car crash with multiple injuries, from which Rice fled the scene.
Rice was also charged with assault in Dallas a few weeks later, after allegedly assaulting a photographer in a nightclub. The photographer has since dropped all charges in that matter. However, Rice still faces possible jail time in Texas, massive civil penalties, and a lengthy suspension by the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs might do well to cut their losses with Rashee Rice.
Along with Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker is in hot water for a misogynistic, homophobic, and somewhat anti-Semitic commencement speech at Benedictine College in May. In his speech, Butker called Pride Month “a deadly sin”, encouraged graduating women in the audience to stay at home and raise children, and questioned his own “right” to claim that Jews killed Jesus Christ.
The right-wing diatribe was instantly picked up by social media, and Butker has been on the hot seat ever since. Many gay rights and feminist groups have called for Butker to be released, and if he was just your average kicker, he might be. But he’s Harrison Butker, a likely Hall of Famer (maybe not anymore) with a career conversion percentage close to 90%. Still, it’s not a good look for the Kansas City Chiefs or the NFL, especially considering the league’s big push to woo female fans.
What Does this Mean for the Kansas City Chiefs?
https://gty.im/2004198582
The Kansas City Chiefs will have a lot of question marks going into 2024, with Rashee Rice and Isaiah Buggs’ future still uncertain. Rice will undoubtedly miss games and may go to jail, so it would be hard to include him in any game plan for the start of the season. Buggs could be barred from offseason team activities and possibly suspended as well. Butker will probably not be suspended or disciplined by the NFL as his actions, while offensive to many, did not constitute a crime.
If the Kansas City Chiefs want to add a third consecutive Vince Lombardi Trophy to their trophy case, they had better get their house in order.
About the Author
Andrew Lazzara is a New Orleans native, lifelong Saints fan, golfer, and father of three. He writes for Total Apex about sports, entertainment, and gaming. Andrew writes for Total Apex Sports about the Saints, the NFL in general, and the world of golf. For Total Apex Entertainment, he writes about movies, TV, music, and entertainment news. Andrew writes for Total Apex Gaming about the gaming industry, new technology, and game strategy. Follow Andrew on X @Andrew_Lazzara and to see more of his work, click here.
For More Great Content
Check out all the great content Total Apex Sports has to offer. Check us out on X @TotalApexSports and our other sites: Total Apex Sports Bets and Total Apex Fantasy Sports.
