Bears Drop Ray McDonald After Assault Arrest

NFL player Ray McDonald has been let go by the Chicago Bears after his arrest for domestic violence.

The American football defensive end was held on Monday over an alleged assault on a woman who was holding a baby.

Police say the assault happened at his home in Santa Clara, at the south end of San Francisco Bay.

He was found about three hours later at a home in nearby San Jose and arrested.

The Bears announced they had released McDonald from his contract at around the same time as he left custody having posted bail.

Santa Clara police's Lieutenant Kurt Clarke said McDonald had been taken into custody on suspicion of domestic violence and child endangerment.

He did not disclose if the woman or the baby were harmed.

The Chicago Bears released a statement about their decision to let McDonald go.

General Manager Ryan Pace said: "We believe in second chances, but when we signed Ray we were very clear what our expectations were if he was to remain a Bear.

"He was not able to meet the standard, and the decision was made to release him."

Chicago signed McDonald to a one-year contract in late March, despite his history of tussels with the law.

In December, the San Francisco 49ers released the 30-year-old, saying he had exhibited a "pattern of poor decision-making".

His release by the 49ers came a month after Santa Clara County district attorney's office decided not to file charges against McDonald in a separate domestic violence investigation.

That investigation began after his arrest on 31 August last year while celebrating his 30th birthday at his California home.