Former Atlanta Falcons star running back Jamal Anderson was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence in Los Angeles on Wednesday, according to multiple reports on Thursday.
Anderson reportedly was involved in a verbal exchange that turned physical at his home in the San Fernando Valley around 11 a.m. local time, Los Angeles police told KNBC-TV. Anderson allegedly strangled the victim, police told the station.
The victim reportedly declined treatment after paramedics arrived on the scene.
Anderson, 53, was released from custody on Thursday on $50,000 bond, according to Los Angeles County jail records.
He has a court date set for Dec. 3.
Anderson played eight NFL seasons (1994-2001) for the Falcons and was known for his “Dirty Bird” touchdown celebration, which became a national sensation during the 1998 season when he led Atlanta to the Super Bowl. The Falcons lost 34-19 to the John Elway-led Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII.
Anderson rushed for 1,846 yards and 14 touchdowns and caught 27 passes for 319 yards and two scores in his memorable season. He finished third in NFL MVP voting and earned his lone Pro Bowl nod.
Overall, Anderson rushed for 5,336 yards and 34 touchdowns and had 156 receptions for 1,645 yards and seven scores in 88 games (64 starts) with the Falcons. Anderson stands fifth on Atlanta’s career rushing-yardage list and third in career touchdowns.
Anderson played college football at Utah and was a seventh-round pick by the Falcons in the 1994 draft.
Wednesday wasn’t the first time Anderson has been arrested in his post-football days.
He was arrested on suspicion of cocaine possession at a nightclub in 2009, on a drunk-driving charge in 2012 and for refusing to pay a limo driver in 2018. He also was banned from a store in Georgia in 2016 after allegedly exposing himself while appearing intoxicated.
