Falcons Linebacker Barkevious Mingo was cut by the team after recent reports of his involvement in an “indecency with a child” case. And Mingo’s lawyer believes the team rushed into their decision.
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Arlington police arrested Mingo on Thursday on a second-degree felony charge. The charge relates to “engaging in sexual contact with someone younger than 17 years of age or causing the child to engage in sexual contact.”
Barkevious Mingo’s lawyer issued a statement after the Falcons terminated the contract.
The Falcons signed Mingo to a 1-year contract in March. However, ever since Barkevious turned himself in, the Falcons have terminated his contract.
“We are extremely disappointed in the Atlanta Falcons’ rush to judgment in terminating Barkevious Mingo’s contract before gathering all of the relevant facts and prior to my client having his day in court,” Lead counsel Chris Lewis said. “The accusation against Mr. Mingo is a lie. Barkevious knows it — so does his accuser.”
“Mr. Mingo appreciates the law enforcement officers have a tough job to do, and he is fully committed to cooperating with the authorities to clear his name. As soon as Barkevious became aware of the arrest warrant, he immediately traveled to Texas to turn himself in and answer to the charge. Now, he is ready to prove his innocence.”
“Mr. Mingo understands the seriousness of an accusation like this and the immediate negative impact it can have on a person’s reputation, even when there is zero evidence. But, he also knows that he will be fully vindicated when the truth comes to light. When that happens, the true motivation of the accuser will be clear and unambiguous.”
Mingo was once upon a time a promising first-round pick for the Browns in 2013. Since then he has bounced around the league playing for the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, and Chicago bears.
