The Atlanta Falcons may not have done the right thing when they selected linebacker Prince Shembo in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft. But they sure did act in a timely manner by waiving the second-year linebacker mere hours after he was charged with felony animal cruelty in Georgia.
In waiving Shembo, the Falcons had this to say:
“We are aware of the charges that have been filed against Prince Shembo. We are extremely disappointed that one of our players is involved in something like this,” the release said.” Accordingly, we have decided to waive Prince Shembo.”
Shembo is accused of killing his ex-girlfriend’s dog in cold blood. The details regarding this incident aren’t for the faint of heart (via Atlanta Journal-Constitution):
“The dog had a fractured rib, fractured liver, abdominal hemorrhage, thoracic hemorrhage, extensive bruising and hemorrhage in the muscles in her front leg and shoulders, head trauma, hemorrhage and edema in lungs, hemorrhage between the esophagus and trachea, and hemorrhage in the left eye with internal injuries, police said.”
Courtesy of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Photo of the dog Shembo is accused of killing.
Shembo was a fourth-round pick of the Falcons back in 2014. That selection was met with criticism from those familiar with a rape investigation that surrounded the Notre Dame product during his college days.
He started three games as a rookie this past season.
Photo: USA Today Sports