Geno Smith is trying to move on and focus on football after he was involved in a domestic incident with a former girlfriend at his Florida home last month.
The New York Jets quarterback was not arrested or charged after the incident this offseason. Smith revealed Tuesday that he has since discussed the matter with head coach Aaron Glenn, general manager Darren Mougey and other veterans on the team.
“I really hate the fact that something I was part of could’ve been a distraction for this team, my teammates and this organization because a lot of hard work has been put in,” Smith said, via ESPN. “A lot of guys have put in a lot of work for us to be in a good spot as a team. I’m happy that I’m able to put this behind me. I’m looking forward to moving forward.”
The investigation started after an incident on June 21 in which a woman who said she was Smith’s ex-girlfriend posted a video on social media and called 911 accusing Smith of assaulting her. She told a 911 dispatcher that “my ex-boyfriend just beat me up,” and that it was caught on camera.
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She also posted a video on social media with the caption: “Geno Smith beat my ass cause he hates taking care of his special needs kid and can’t be left alone with him.” That video showed her following Smith around his home yelling at him, but did not show any evidence of an assault.
Smith was never arrested, and the woman was trespassed from his property. Smith had two scratches on his face and a knot on the back of his head, and the woman had a small cut along the webbing of her right hand and a bruise on her left arm.
That led to an investigation into Smith, though it was closed earlier this month. Smith will not face charges. Police cited the absence of witnesses and surveillance footage to corroborate the allegation. Smith also reportedly provided police with Ring camera footage that “did not show any physical altercation.”
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Smith, who was dealt to the Jets in March in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders, did not get into what he said to his teammates or the Jets’ staff.
“We have a tight brotherhood in this locker room,” linebacker Demario Davis said, via ESPN, while confirming that he spoke with Smith about the incident.
“Nobody is operating in a silo on this team, and we need that. People need space where they can have people they know and trust that will protect them the right way.”
Smith, who got his start in the league with the Jets in 2013, is entering his 13th season this fall. He threw for 3,025 yards, 19 touchdowns and 17 interceptions with the Raiders. Smith will attempt to lead the Jets, who went 3-14 last season, to the playoffs for the first time since the 2010 campaign.