Bills place OL coach Aaron Kromer on paid leave following arrest
The Buffalo Billsannounced on Tuesday they have placed Aaron Kromer on indefinite paid administrative leave following his arrest on a misdemeanor battery charge on Sunday.
“Over the last few days our organization has continued to gather information in regards to the alleged incident involving offensive line coach Aaron Kromer,” Bills president Russ Brandon said in a statement.
“We have been in regular discussions with the league office and have decided to place Aaron on indefinite paid administrative leave in accordance with the league’s Personal Conduct Policy while we continue to work our way through the investigative process with the league.”
Kromer, 48, was arrested early Sunday in Walton County, Fla., for misdemeanor battery with intent to cause bodily harm. According to a press release issued Sunday by the sheriff’s office there, three boys were fishing on a local beach when Kromer and his son “confronted them” over the use of beach chairs that had been left out.
“Victims told deputies Kromer grabbed their fishing pole and threw the pole into the water and then pushed one of the boys to the ground and punched him in the face,” the release reads. “It was stated Kromer then told the boys to return the chairs to where they found them. The victim stated Kromer also told him if he reported him to the police he would kill his family.”
Police are also pursuing charges against Kromer’s son Zachary, a department spokeswoman told Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports.
After the arrest, the Bills issued a statement saying the team was aware of the report and in the process of gathering facts.
Kromer joined the Bills in January after working as offensive line coach and offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears the past two seasons. He previously coached with the New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Oakland Raiders.
- Mike Fiammetta
