Ex-NFL QB Rypien pleads not guilty to domestic violence charge

The incident occurred Sunday, when police said they were dispatched to an area
near a bank where Rypien's wife was lying in the grass. A witness said she was
complaining of stomach pains, allegedly from Rypien hitting her.

He was arrested on a charge of fourth-degree assault/domestic violence.

Spokane NBC affiliate KHQ reported that Rypien, 56, told the court Monday he
and his wife were arguing in the car and he "only hit his wife to remove her
hands from his face" while he was driving. Rypien said he was just trying to
see the road.

In March 2018, Rypien went public about his troubles and revealed that he once
attempted suicide as a result of mental health issues he believes originated
from his days of playing football.

Rypien, who played collegiately at Washington State in Pullman, played 11
seasons in the NFL for the Washington Redskins (1988-1993), Cleveland Browns
(1994), St. Louis Rams (1995, 1997), Philadelphia Eagles (1996) and
Indianapolis Colts (2001). He passed for 18,473 yards, 115 touchdowns and 88
interceptions.

He was a two-time Pro Bowl player and the MVP of Super Bowl XXVI, where the
Redskins beat the Buffalo Bills 37-24 in January 1992.

--Field Level Media