Jimmie Ward's Attorney Denies Domestic Violence Claims Against the Houston Texans Player

An attorney for Houston Texans safety Jimmie Ward responded to the domestic violence allegations against his client.

“We have been aware of the complaining witness for some time and her actions towards Jimmie Ward as well as another high profile sports figure,” attorney Steve Jackson tells PEOPLE.

“It is sad that professional athletes and public figures have to endure things like this, but has seemingly become commonplace. But we will continue to thoroughly investigate this woman and her history, and believe that Jimmie will be vindicated,” Jackson said.

The attorney continued, “We just ask that the public reserve judgment so that we can show everyone that the Jimmie Ward that they all have come to know is the same person and did not do this.”

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Ward, 33, was arrested at his home in Magnolia, Texas, on June 12 on a felony assault family violence charge, according to police records.

Montgomery County Jail records show that the NFL star was arrested following an incident at his home that same morning and is accused of assaulting and choking or suffocating an individual. He was arrested on the third-degree felony charge at 5:38 a.m.

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Texans senior director of communications Omar Majzoub previously told PEOPLE that the organization is “aware of the report involving Jimmie Ward” and is “gathering more information” on the incident. Majzoub said the Houston Texans “have no further comment at this time.”

Ward was drafted 30th overall in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers and played with the team until the 2023 offseason, when he signed a two-year contract with the Houston Texans. He is often referred to by his middle name, “Neko,” which is also the name he uses on Instagram.

Before starting his pro career, Ward played four seasons at Northern Illinois University, according to his NFL biography.

A court hearing for Ward’s domestic violence charges is scheduled for mid-July, per TMZ.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.