King County docs: Former Seahawks kicker Josh Brown said he abused wife

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Giants placekicker Josh Brown admitted in journal entries and emails that he verbally and physically abused his wife, according to documents that were part of a domestic violence case obtained by SNY.

Team spokesman Corry Rush declined comment Thursday morning on the details that emerged from a case in Washington. Brown was arrested in May 2015 on a domestic violence allegation but no charges were filed against the 37-year-old player.

The King County Sheriff's Office in Washington released 165 pages of documents that were turned over to authorities by Brown's former wife, Molly, after his arrest. She had accused him of more than 20 instances of domestic violence.

Brown wrote in one journal entry that he abused his wife, saying: "I have physically, mentally, emotionally and verbally been a repulsive man."

Brown was suspended for one game by the NFL at the start of this season.

NFL to reopen Brown investigation

The NFL is going to re-open its investigation of Brown after police released journal entries and emails in which he admitted that he verbally and physically abused his former wife.

The NFL issued a statement on Thursday saying the league's investigators made repeated verbal and written attempts to obtain any and all evidence and relevant information in the May 2015 case from the King County Sheriff's Office in Washington, but were denied.

The sheriff's office released the journals and emails late Wednesday to SportsNet New York.

The league said law enforcement's response limited its yearlong investigation of the domestic abuse incident that led to Brown's arrest on suspicion of domestic violence. No charges were filed against the 37-year-old player.

"We concluded our own investigation, more than a year after the initial incident, based on the facts and evidence available to us at the time and after making exhaustive attempts to obtain information in a timely fashion," the league said. "It is unfortunate that we did not have the benefit or knowledge of these materials at the time."

Brown, who was suspended by the NFL for the opening game of the season for a violation of its personal conduct policy, practiced on Thursday but was not in the locker room afterward as the team prepared to leave for its game against the Los Angeles Rams in London on Sunday.

Tom Quinn, the Giants' special teams coach, said that Brown remains the Giants kicker. He said that any change in Brown's status would have to be made by someone above him.

That could be the league or the Giants, who have not issued a statement on the latest revelations.

"In light of the release of these documents yesterday, we will thoroughly review the additional information and determine next steps in the context of the NFL Personal Conduct Policy," the league said. "We will not be making any comments on potential discipline until that time."

County prosecutors announced Thursday they had declined to file charges in the case because they were having trouble getting key testimony from Brown's wife and other key witnesses, including her relatives and friends.

"I have physically, mentally, emotionally and verbally been a repulsive man," Brown wrote in one journal entry. "I have abused my wife."

The journal was part of was part of 165 pages of documents that were turned over to authorities by Brown's former wife, Molly, after his arrest. She had accused him of more than 20 instances of domestic violence.

One of the documents dated more than two years before Brown's arrest was called a "Contract for Change" and appeared to be signed by both the kicker and his former wife.

"I have controlled her by making her feel less human than me, and manipulated her with money," said one of the eight items in the list. "I have disregarded my stepsons' feelings and they have witnessed me abusing their mother."

In a 2013 email, Brown said he caused his wife to fear him.

"From the bruise on your leg when we argued ... to the zipper that caught you last April. I am ashamed and disgraced to call myself a husband," Brown said.

Brown's teammates said they found it tough to talk about the news.

"Obviously, it is an unfortunate situation for all parties," receiver Victor Cruz said. "But as a teammate, I am behind Josh Brown. I just want him to get himself right and make sure that he is able to overcome these things."

Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie said that Brown is one of the leaders of the team's Bible studies group.

"It's kind of hurtful, but I am here for him, because he helped me grow a lot, being a man off the field," Rodgers-Cromartie said. "I learned a lot from him. For what he is going through, I hurt for him."

Brown is one of the top placekickers in the NFL. He scored a career-high 134 points last season. He has made 11 of 12 field goal attempts this season and all eight extra points.