Arizona Cardinals Express 'Shock' Over Dwyer's Domestic Abuse Charges

The Arizona Cardinals NFL team has released a statement saying it is "shocked" by the recent court documents that indicate team running back Jonathan Dwyer headbutted his wife, breaking her nose, in a domestic dispute earlier this year.

Court documents made public by TMZ this week indicated that Dwyer reportedly headbutted his wife after she refused to have sex with him back in July. A medical report indicates the wife suffered a fractured nasal bone as a result of the dispute. Court records also claim Dwyer made suicidal threats and physically abused his wife on other occasions when they had been fighting.

"It was like the worst nightmare a coach can have right now. For me, personally, I was totally shocked because I've known John a long time and it was totally out of character from what I've known. So I was extremely shocked by the incident. But we have to move forward," Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians told Arizona Sports.

One of the team's receivers, Larry Fitzgerald, added to the media outlet that he and the other players have been caught off guard by the whole situation, especially because Dwyer is usually perceived to be a calm, level-headed person on the field.

"I think we were like everybody else, caught off guard. I'm still kind of caught off guard. I mean, it's only been a day. It's just […] blindsided."

"John's very quiet. Hardworking guy, coming to work every day. He always had a smile on his face. He's a good dude, never had a bad moment, it seemed like, around the guys. He was fun to be around. He worked hard and played well. He had a couple good games for us."

The recent news of Dwyer's charges come as the NFL is embattled in multiple domestic abuse cases, including the recent video that shows former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice knocking out his wife in a hotel elevator, and the recent charges against Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson for allegedly beating his child with a switch.