Former Colts Player Joe Staysniak Arrested For Domestic Battery Involing Son's Boyfriend (UPDATE)
Former Indianapolis Colts lineman Joe Staysniak was arrested earlier today over domestic battery charges allegedly involving his son.
The 56-year-old former player, who later became a sports radio host, was booked in Hendrick County, Indiana.
The charges included intimidation, domestic battery, strangulation as well as pointing a firearm, according to Hendricks County Jail Records.
Law enforcement was called to the scene early Tuesday for a "delayed domestic," that involved Stayasniak, his son Lucas and his son's boyfriend, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Joe Staysniak was arrested on domestic battery charges. (Hendrick County Jail)
THE INCIDENT OCCURRED OUTSIDE STAYSNIAK'S HOUSE
The affidavit continued, saying that Staysniak told officers he got "a call from a neighbor advising him there was a suspicious car in their front yard." He then approached the car when the altercation allegedly happened.
His son added more details during his part of the affidavit.
Lucas told police that he and his boyfriend were sitting in the vehicle when suddenly his dad tried opening their car door before he began assaulting them.
"Lucas stated that his father then punched him, causing his lip to bleed and then punched the passenger. Lucas stated that his father then displayed a firearm and told he and the passenger that they're lucky he saw who it was," the affidavit read. The passenger claimed that the father "flashed a gun" and pointed it "against the side of his face."
Joe Staysanik admitted brandishing a firearm but denied pointing it at anyone, according to police.
The report goes on to say that Staysanik's wife had to help separate everyone before police arrived.
Joe Staysniak played for the Colts in the 1990's. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
STAYSNIAK WAS SUSPENDED FROM RADIO IN 2020
Staysniak was a stand-out college football player at Ohio State. He was part of the 1986 Big Ten Championship team and received All-Big Ten honors. In 1990 he was drafted by the Chargers before playing for the Bills, Colts and Cardinals.
After retiring from football, he was a cohost on "The Jeff and Big Joe Show," on 1070 AM and 93.5 FM in Indianapolis until 2021.
In 2020, Staysiniak was suspended for one week for comments stemming around the George Floyd protests that were happening across the country. Staysniak said that black people needed "to stop being a victim," as well as doubting that police target them were viewed as racist.
His co-host Jeff Rickard addressed Staysniak's comments on air.
"Joe, quite frankly, had statements that were very insensitive to a lot of the folks that are out there fighting for their rights and feel like their voices have not been heard," Rickard said. "And it's time for them to be heard in the wake of the George Floyd murder."
Staysanik faces two felony counts as well as two misdemeanors.
This story has been updated with from its original version to include affidavit details.