The Pittsburgh Steelers officially severed ties on Monday with one of their 2012 draft picks as running back Chris Rainey was officially waived, according to Bob Labriola on Twitter.
The Steelers announced back on January 10 that the Florida product would be waived following his simple battery arrest earlier that day down in Gainesville, Florida. NFL rules, however, prevented the Steelers from officially waiving him until after the Super Bowl.
“Chris Rainey\’s actions this morning were extremely disappointing,” Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said in a statement released by the team following the arrest. “Under the circumstances and due to this conduct, Chris will no longer be a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.”
Rainey has since had his day in court as he was able to make a plea deal last Thursday which resulted in his battery charge being reduced to disorderly conduct because the alleged victim denied being battered, and witnesses had contradictory statements. Rainey was, however, fined $200 and forced to pay court costs of approximately $300 in conjunction with his plea.
Rainey, who ran for 102 yards and two touchdowns, caught 14 passes for 60 yards and averaged 26.5 yards on 39 kickoff returns in his first season with the Steelers, most likely will find a new team very quickly as one will most likely pluck him off waivers in the next 24 hours.
