Isaiah Bond signs NFL deal with huge bonus after sexual assault allegations against him were scrapped
Former Texas star Isaiah Bond has officially inked an NFL deal after sexual assault allegations against the wide receiver were dropped.
Bond was a highly-ranked prospect heading into this year’s NFL Draft but, following his arrest in April, he was passed over by all 32 teams.
But with charges against him dropped, the Cleveland Browns have now signed the rookie free-agent to a three-year, $3.018 million contract, according to Mary Kay Cabot.
In addition to Bond’s fully guaranteed salary, the wideout reportedly received a $53,000 signing bonus.
Bond made a name for himself at Texas with his blinding speed and later ran the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine in just 4.39 second. He was expected to be taken on Day 2 of April’s NFL Draft.
But the sexual assault allegations, which came just weeks before the draft, ruined his chances.
Former Texas star Isaiah Bond has officially inked an NFL deal with the Cleveland Browns
The wide receiver went undrafted in April after he was accused of sexual assault
Last week, however, the case against him was dropped and Bond announced that the Browns were now ‘allowing (him) the opportunity to continue his career in the NFL.’
The 21-year-old always denied the claims, branding them ‘patently false’ back in April. He later filed a federal complaint against his accuser.
This week, Collin County (Texas) District Attorney Greg Willis confirmed that Bond will face no further criminal charges.
Willis said: ‘After reviewing all the evidence presented, a Collin County grand jury returned a “no bill” in the sexual assault charge involving Isaiah Bond, meaning no indictment will be issued. This concludes the criminal proceedings in this matter.’
Shortly after, Bond released a statement of his own, announcing that he will now fulfil his childhood dream.
‘I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Cleveland Browns for believing in me and allowing me the opportunity to continue my career in the NFL,’ he wrote.
‘Football has been my passion since I was six years old, and playing at this level is a blessing I will never take for granted. I understand that playing in the NFL is a privilege, and I’m thankful every day to live my childhood dream.’
However, while the criminal charges against him have been dismissed, Bond could still face punishment from the league.
Last week, the case against him was dropped and the Browns have handed him a chance
NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy confirmed over the weekend that Bond’s case is currently being reviewed.
The league’s personal conduct policy does not require criminal charges in order for a player to be punished, so the fact that Bond wasn’t charged won’t protect him from a possible suspension or other penalty.
Bond, while refusing to divulge details, has always maintained his denials of the allegations.
Details of the allegations remain unclear, but Bond has filed suit against his accuser, claiming their encounter was consensual and that the woman was seeking a financial settlement.
According to the complaint obtained by Daily Mail, the accuser ‘did make the indirect threat that, due to Bond’s high-profile status, Bond “better be careful not to catch a case.”‘
Bond’s attorneys claimed he asked the woman to leave at that point, only for her to demand $5,000 or face the accusation that he ‘assaulted her during their consensual sexual encounter.’
Both sides have since agreed to a resolution and the case was dismissed with prejudice.
