NFL Player Allegedly Chokes Out Girlfriend, Says ‘Wow, You’re Alive?’ When She Wakes Up

Kent, WA – Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Chad Wheeler was arrested Jan. 22 after he allegedly attacked his girlfriend and choked her until she lost consciousness.

The girlfriend told police that Wheeler was having a “manic episode,” according to KCPQ.

When police asked the girlfriend if she thought she was going to die, she told police that she thought she already had, according to KCPQ.

The girlfriend told police that Wheeler gave no warning when he demanded that she stand up and bow to him.

The girlfriend refused and Wheeler, who is 6-foot-7 and 310 pounds, allegedly grabbed her by the neck and threw her on the bed, according to KCPQ. The victim is 5-foot-9 and 145 pounds, according to the Seattle Times.

Wheeler allegedly strangled the woman and also held her mouth and nose shut to prevent her from breathing.

When the girlfriend tried to fight back, Wheeler twisted her arm, according to the report.

When she came back to consciousness, Wheeler was standing near the bed and allegedly said, “Wow, you’re alive?”

The victim then ran into the bathroom and called police.

The Kent Police Department responded to multiple 911 calls of a woman being killed who was locked in a bathroom, KCPQ reported.

Police forced their way into the home after hearing a woman scream from inside. Police also had to force their way into the bathroom and they found Wheeler and the victim, who had blood all over her face.

Wheeler was not cooperating with police, according to KCPQ. He screamed, “Sorry!” several times as he was being arrested.

The girlfriend told police she was dating Wheeler for about six months. She was taken to the hospital with a dislocated arm and a bloody nose.

Bail for Wheeler was set at $400,000.  He has been charged with domestic violence assault in the first degree, domestic violence unlawful imprisonment, and resisting arrest, according to KOMO.

Wheeler played with the New York Giants in 2017 and 2018. He played five games in 2020 with the Seahawks. He has made a total salary of $1.9 million during his career.