Former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer, fired in December after the team’s disastrous season, was arrested in Florida early Sunday morning on misdemeanor battery charges.
According to the public information officer with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, Kromer was taken into custody around 1:30 a.m. Sunday following an altercation near his beach home. He was released at 3:10 a.m.
The incident, according to the sheriff’s office, occurred outside a residence on Inlet Beach in Walton County, with Kromer involved in an argument that grew physical with his neighbor’s son, a juvenile.
According to a release from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, deputies learned that Kromer and his son allegedly confronted three boys who were fishing on the beach regarding “the use of beach chairs left by a beach access.”
Deputies were told that Kromer threw one of the boy’s fishing poles into the water and then allegedly pushed one of the boys to the ground and punched him in the face. In additional detail from the release: “It was stated Kromer then told the boys to return the chairs to where they found them. The victim stated Kromer also told him if he reported him to the police he would kill his family.”
The incident is still being investigated by the Walton County Sherrif’s Office and a redacted arrest report will likely become available Monday.
Kromer, who is currently the offensive line coach for the Buffalo Bills, could face stern discipline from the league in relation to the transgression. The NFL’s personal conduct policy was updated and amended in December with an intent to take a stronger stance against employees who are involved in incidents of violence.
Kromer, 48, was with the Bears for two seasons. This past year, the team’s offense finished 21st in the league in yards per game (327.1) and 23rd in scoring (19.9 ppg).
In December, Kromer became a flash point in the Bears’ dysfunction when he anonymously skewered quarterback Jay Cutler to NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport following the team’s 41-28 loss to the Cowboys. Kromer later confessed to the entire offense and then head coach Marc Trestman that he had been the source for Rapoport’s pointed on-air criticism of Cutler.
Kromer joined the Bills in January on Rex Ryan’s staff. In a written statement the Bills said, “We are aware of the report and in the process of gathering the facts.”
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