NFL won't discipline Lions, Patricia over coach's 1996 arrest

In a statement by NFL vice president of communications Brian McCarthy, tweeted
by NFL.com's Tom Pelissero, the league stated:

"Our office reviewed the matter with the Lions and Mr. Patricia, and ensured
the club engaged in appropriate and thorough hiring practices and that the
Coach did not mislead the team during the interview process. We determined
that the Lions handled the interview process in a thoughtful and comprehensive
manner and fully and appropriately complied with all applicable employment
laws. As we learned from both Mr. Patricia and the Lions, the matter was not a
part of his employment interview process for job opportunities outside of or
within the NFL. He was under no legal or other requirement to raise this
issue.

"This is not subject to the personal conduct policy as the allegations
occurred well before his affiliation with the NFL.

The 1996 arrest first came to light earlier this month. According to reports,
Patricia and a teammate on the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute football team
were arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault. Patricia was 21 at
the time.

The case did not go to trial, reportedly because the alleged victim was
"unable to testify," and was dropped in January 1997.

Patricia, 43, denied any wrongdoing when reports first surfaced and the team
has expressed support for its new coach throughout.

The Lions hired Patricia in February, a day after the New England Patriots
lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII. He had been the Patriots'
defensive coordinator for six seasons.

--Field Level Media