Jonathon Cooper finally addressed the arrest drama and made things legally complicated for himself

Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper has had a rough week. Arrested on domestic violence charges last Thursday, released on bond Friday, and then against every piece of legal advice anyone has ever given anyone, he went on Instagram and said sorry.

Jonathon Cooper apologized on Instagram after his domestic violence arrest

Cooper posted a Bible verse from Ephesians 4 on his Instagram stories, then followed it up with a written apology: "I realize posting a Bible quote right after something very serious happens does not just mean everything is okay. I apologize to my family, to my friends and my community… and so many others. Sincerely, I apologize. This situation is not who I am." Self-aware enough to know the Bible verse was a PR miss. Not self-aware enough to stop posting after that.

Here's what the arrest affidavit actually says

Cooper and his girlfriend, Jade Fiegen, who have been on and off for years, were at his home when she confronted him over alleged infidelity. She grabbed his phone and threw it against a wall. From there, the two accounts diverge sharply.



Fiegen told police Cooper grabbed her by the neck, pinned her against a wall for about a minute, threw her to the ground multiple times, and punched a wall near her face. Cooper's version was far less severe. The responding officer found no probable cause for harassment or assault charges, citing conflicting statements and a lack of physical evidence. Both were arrested. Cooper admitted he caused disabling damage to Fiegen's phone by biting it.

Not guilty, and on to July

Cooper entered a not guilty plea to all charges Monday morning in a Douglas County courtroom, with a motion hearing set for July 6 and a jury trial set for July 22. Broncos director of player development Ray Jackson and former linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite were both in the courtroom in support. The team showing up physically while saying nothing publicly is a very specific kind of message.



Legal experts have already flagged that the Instagram apology could be used against Cooper at trial. The argument being that an innocent person has no reason to say sorry. Any potential NFL discipline won't begin until the legal proceedings conclude, so Cooper's season status stays in limbo for now. The trial date lands just before training camp. The Broncos, and everyone else, will be watching.