San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Charles Omenihu was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence Monday. The 49ers visit the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in the NFC Championship game. Omenihu joins a list of NFL players arrested prior to the conference championship game or the Super Bowl.
The 49ers are aware of the situation and no determination on Omenihu’s availability has been made.
“We are aware of the matter involving Charles Omenihu and are in the process of gathering further information,” the 49ers said Tuesday in a statement.
A woman who claimed Omenihu is her boyfriend called the police from his home on Monday reporting domestic violence and alleged that he “pushed her to the ground during an argument.”
Omenihu gave a statement when the police arrived and was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence. He was then taken to the Santa Clara County Jail and was released after posting bail, according to reports.
Omenihu is now part of a group he’d rather not be in: NFL players arrested prior to the biggest games of their careers.
Stanley Wilson, Cincinnati Bengals 1988
On the eve of Super Bowl XXIII, the Bengals running back relapsed into his cocaine use and was not allowed to play in the game. Wilson had been suspended in the 1985 and 1987 seasons for cocaine use. His addiction impacted his teammates and might have contributed to the loss to the 49ers, 20-16.
Boomer Esiason tells Mad Dog the inside story of the events that lead up to the suspension of Bengals RB Stanley Wilson on the eve of Super Bowl XXIII. pic.twitter.com/JDizd9Di9Z
— Funhouse (@BackAftaThis) January 4, 2020
Eugene Robinson, Atlanta Falcons 1999
On the eve of Super Bowl XXXIII in Miami, Robinson was arrested on Biscayne Boulevard on charges of soliciting an undercover police officer who was posing as a prostitute. He was a Pro Bowl player and the team’s starting free safety.
In the game Robinson gave up an 80-yard touchdown reception to Denver Broncos receiver Rod Smith, and in the fourth quarter, he missed a tackle on Denver running back Terrell Davis that enabled Davis to break a long run inside the red zone. The Falcons lost the game 34-19.
How good was the 1998 Atlanta Falcons defense? The starting front 4 had 29.5 Sacks (Falcons had 18 as a team last year).
Lester Archambeau 10
Chuck Smith 8.5
Shane Dronett 6.5
Travis Hall 4.5Eugene Robinson robbed us of what could have been an epic Super Bowl match up. pic.twitter.com/hGdE78Pt9q
— Atlanta Falcons on AllFalcons (@AllFalconsATL) August 1, 2022
In a weird sequence of events, Robinson had been awarded The Bart Starr Award earlier on the day of his arrest. It is given annually to the NFL player who “best exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field, and in the community.”
Barret Robbins, Oakland Raiders 2003
Robbins wasn’t arrested prior to Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego but an incident revealed some serious struggles the lineman was going through at the time. He disappeared in the days leading up to the game and apparently went on a drinking binge across the Mexican border in Tijuana. Robbins suffered from depression and bipolar disorder.
He showed up at the team hotel the night before the game, but head coach Bill Callahan told Robbins to go to his family. He didn’t play in the game.
What's the real story of why Raiders lineman Barret Robbins missed Super Bowl XXXVII?
Find out in the newest edition of #SportsUncovered. Download and subscribe: https://t.co/qbFNdRKxFp pic.twitter.com/O4HmDkQXKN
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) July 10, 2020
Following the incident, he was busted for using steroids and arrested on a few occasions.
Just because these are famous athletes preparing for the biggest games of their lives, it doesn’t mean they’re infallible. They’re human beings just like the rest of us and make mistakes of all kinds.
