In terms of second chances, this might be the only one Denver Broncos edge rusher Jonathon Cooper gets from the NFL after he was taken off the commissioner’s exempt list and cleared to rejoin his team for a Week 7 road game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Cooper was arrested twice in one week this summer and charged with felony domestic violence — the incidents that landed him on the commissioner’s list — and addressed his pending reinstatement with a lengthy statement to his official Instagram account.
“Playing in the NFL and representing the Denver Broncos is a privilege I do not take for granted,” Cooper wrote on Friday. “I’m grateful to ownership, my teammates, coaches and everyone in the organization for their support as well as Commissioner Goodell and the league for the opportunity to return. Over the last several months, I’ve spent a lot of time working to better myself. That work will continue. My focus is on being the best person, father, teammate and member of this community I can be. I will show that commitment through my actions every day. Praise God – thank you Jesus.”
Cooper also seemed to address his return on his Instagram stories, where he posted a meme with the words “Jesus wins, every single time.”
Jonathaon Cooper’s Court Date Set for March
Friday’s news of Cooper’s return came after he appeared at a Douglas County courthouse on Monday for a motions hearing alongside famed attorney Harvey Steinberg, who is handling his case.
Cooper entered a not guilty plea on felony domestic violence charges on August 31 and was placed on the NFL commissioner’s exempt list, meaning he was not allowed to practice or play for the Broncos while he’s on the list.
“In JonathonCooper motion hearing, the prosecution asked for continuance,” 9News Denver’s Mike Klis wrote on his official X account on Monday. “Steinberg asked for speedy trial, set for March 2-4. Motion hearing on Feb 23. Cooper will be allowed to travel in case cleared from commissioners list.”
Cooper’s second arrest came for violating a protection order from the 1st arrest.
“With Jonathon Cooper’s trial now pushed to March, when was the last time a player came off the NFL commissioner’s exempt list with a trial date still looming?” Broncos reporter Rachel Vigil wrote on her official X account on Monday. “Jabrill Peppers, 2024. Seven games on paid leave, then reinstated before his case ended. The difference: Peppers wasn’t facing a felony. Cooper is.”
This article was originally published on HEAVY
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