ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The NFL announced on Thursday that Denver Broncos safety T.J. Ward had been issued a one-game suspension for violation of the league’s personal conduct policy.
The violation stems from a May 2014 incident at a Denver nightclub, which took place shortly after Ward signed with the Broncos.
According to a probable cause affidavit, a man alleged to be Ward entered PT’s All Nude Strip Club with two other men about 2:30 a.m. The individual got angry when the bartender told him he could not bring a bottle of alcohol into the club, according to the affidavit.
After a dispute, the man was caught on surveillance video throwing a glass mug at the woman. The woman was struck on the wrist and suffered soreness, the affidavit alleges.
The misdemeanor assault and disturbing the peace charges brought against Ward after the incident were dropped in exchange for performing community service. The league chose to levy the suspension in spite of the dropped charges.
The ruling on Ward’s suspension came on the same day the NFL’s four-game suspension of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was nullified by a federal court, calling into question the league’s disciplinary process.
Ward released a statement after receiving the one-game suspension:
I take full responsibility for the incident that occurred in May 2014 and am willing to accept the consequences of my actions by serving my one game suspension. Although I was never arrested and all charges against me were ultimately dismissed, I have no one to blame but myself for being in the predicament that evening. To the Denver Broncos organization, the Bowlen family and to the Denver Bronco fans, I want to apologize for my conduct. I have learned from my mistakes and will continue to be a pillar in the community to make myself a stronger person and player for the Denver Broncos.
A two-time Pro Bowl safety and the Broncos’ second-leading tackler a season ago, Ward will miss the team’s first game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 13. He will be eligible to return to the active roster on Sept. 14.