Cowboys safety CJ Spillman accused of sexual assault

The NFL is still dealing with its image issues. While changes have been suggested to its personal conduct policy. The question the league and its teams will still grapple with, when is the right time to suspend, or withhold players from games. Is when they’re charged? If there’s an accusation or investigation?

Wednesday, reports surfaced that Dallas Cowboys’ safety C.J. Spillman has been accused of sexual abuse. The incident allegedly took place on Sept. 20 at the team’s hotel, the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, before they faced off against the St. Louis Rams.

Six days after the alleged incident took place, civil rights attorney Gloria Allred notified NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in a letter that her female client filed a police report claiming that a player in the league raped her. Allred went on to say that on Sept. 20, the player in question reportedly met with police, accompanied by a team official, and managed to still play in the team’s game the very next day.

“Thereafter, the accused was then allowed by his team to play the following day,” the letter added. “We have asked the NFL whether or not this alleged rape was reported to them and if they approved this accused individual’s playing in the game notwithstanding the allegations that had been made against him.”

Allred hasn’t specifically listed Spillman as the player in question.

Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett had this to say about CJ still being active.

“I’m not going to make any comment on an investigation where there have been no arrests or charges made,’’ Garrett said. “Having said that, we’ve been very clear with our team about consequences there will be if there is a situation where charges or arrests are made for a crime. We’ve been clear about that.

“That doesn’t apply in this particular case.’’