Zac Stacy releases statement following graphic video, domestic violence accusations

Former NFL running back Zac Stacy – who played for both the St. Louis Rams and New York Jets during a three-year NFL career from 2013 to 2015 – was recently accused of domestic violence after a graphic video surfaced, and he took to Instagram on Thursday to address the charges brought against him.

According to the New York Post, Stacy was charged with three counts of misdemeanor battery and two counts of misdemeanor criminal mischief on Feb. 16, tied to the events that happened on Aug. 16.

“First and foremost, my actions that I partook in … in regards to the mother of my child can not be justified nor in some eyes forgiven. I can apologize to the mother of my child to the hills … but whether she believes me or not .. I want to be on record saying that I am tremendously sorry and I sincerely hope the forgiveness comes down the road. The shame & guilt on my end is heavy & rightfully so. I made devastating mistake & that mistake has affected the people and communities around me that I love so dear,” Stacy wrote, as part of a lengthy Instagram post on Thursday night. “It has affected the relationship with my son & that’s where the restoration is a must & a necessity. I wasn’t healthy mentally & emotionally & I made a choice to put myself in a toxic situation to not only be present for my child … but to also fight a stigma in the black community of an absentee father.

“Unfortunately the choice & desire to do the right thing became unsuccessful which resulted me becoming mentally and emotionally unbalanced. The dynamic of my mental health has never been out in the public because I dealt with it individually & privately .. through medications, therapy and coping mechanisms.. healthy & unhealthy.

“Neither here nor there … despite the unknowns & regardless of the outcomes … All I want to do is move forward with peace so I can progress into a better man & father. ZJ I miss you & I love you baby boy, & I’m sorry that I put your mother in this situation .. along with you & I promise I’m going to do everything I can.. even with the little power that I have left .. to be the best papa I can be.”

Zac Stacy accused of domestic violence after graphic video surfaces

Be advised, the linked video of the incident is graphic and might not be suitable for all viewers.

Stacy, who played college football at Vanderbilt, was alleged to have repeatedly punched his ex-girlfriend in the head and tossed her into a television while visiting with their 5-month-old son at the woman’s Florida home Saturday. Their son was reportedly in the room with them when the alleged incident, which was caught on home video cameras, occurred.

In the video, the couple can be seen having a conversation before Stacy swings on the woman with his right arm and hits her in the face. After hitting her repeatedly, he then throws her into the TV, which nearly falls on top of her. Stacy continued to strike the woman and tossed her once more before leaving the house and slamming the door.

TMZ obtained a restraining order application with comments from the woman in the alleged attack involving Stacy.

“He punched me several times in the head! I begged him to stop because the baby was on the couch just a few feet from where he punched me,” the comments in the application read. “I fear for my life and my children’s lives.”

In the restraining order application, the woman said she was hospitalized after the alleged attack with bumps, bruises and a possible cut to the head.

Selected by the St. Louis Rams in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Stacy played in 35 career games – tallying 357 carries for 1,355 yards and nine touchdowns. He also made 53 receptions for 358 yards and a touchdown.

The New York Jets released Stacy on July 27, 2016, and he later announced his retirement from the NFL on Feb. 16, 2017.