Former NFL Linebacker Darron Lee Arrested in Tennessee on Murder Charge
Darron Lee, a former first-round NFL Draft pick and Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs, is facing serious legal trouble after being arrested in Tennessee. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Lee has been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence following the death of a woman identified as his girlfriend.
According to the police report, first responders were called to a residence on Tuesday afternoon, where they found the victim and attempted life-saving measures. Authorities have since classified the incident as a homicide, based on the condition of the victim and the scene.
Lee was taken into custody on Thursday and is currently being held without bond. He is scheduled to appear in court next Wednesday.
Officials have indicated that additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues.
This isn’t the first time Lee has been in legal trouble. In 2023, he faced charges of misdemeanor domestic violence and misdemeanor assault-issues that now take on a heavier context in light of the current allegations.
Lee entered the NFL with high expectations after being selected 20th overall in the 2016 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. A speedy linebacker out of Ohio State, he was brought in to help modernize the Jets’ defense with his sideline-to-sideline range.
Over three seasons in New York, Lee started 36 games and racked up 241 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, four sacks, and three interceptions. His athleticism was never in question, but off-field issues began to cloud his career.
In December 2018, Lee was suspended four games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. That suspension proved to be a turning point. The Jets declined his fifth-year option, and in May 2019, they traded him to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Lee played 16 games for Kansas City during the 2019 season, but he was inactive during the team’s Super Bowl LIV victory. Despite being part of a championship roster, he didn’t suit up for the game that sealed the title.
After that season, Lee’s NFL career began to fizzle. He became a free agent and was hit with another suspension-this time a four-week ban at the start of the 2020 season.
He briefly resurfaced with the Buffalo Bills in 2021, appearing in two games before being moved back to the practice squad. Later that year, the Las Vegas Raiders signed him in June, only to release him by August. Since then, Lee has remained out of the league.
Now, the focus shifts from football to the courtroom. Once a promising young linebacker with first-round pedigree and championship experience, Darron Lee’s story has taken a tragic and troubling turn. The legal process will unfold in the coming weeks, but the gravity of the charges he faces cannot be overstated.