Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper was arrested on June 4, 2026, following a domestic dispute at his Parker, Colorado, residence. The altercation with his girlfriend escalated over allegations of infidelity, culminating in Cooper allegedly biting and damaging her iPhone.
According to the arrest affidavit, the argument began when Cooper’s girlfriend accused him of cheating. In the heat of the dispute, she seized Cooper’s phone and threw it across the room before picking it up to examine its contents. Cooper then attempted to retrieve his phone, leading to a physical struggle during which he reportedly pressed his neck against hers to prevent her from accessing the device. Subsequently, Cooper threatened to destroy her phone and proceeded to bite it, causing damage.
Both Cooper and his girlfriend were arrested and charged with misdemeanor domestic violence and criminal mischief. Cooper was taken into custody by Parker Police at 11:16 p.m. and booked into the Douglas County Jail at 2:38 a.m. the following day. He made his initial court appearance on June 5 and is scheduled for a disposition hearing on June 8.
Jonathon Cooper, 28, was drafted by the Broncos in the seventh round out of Ohio State in 2021. He has been a consistent starter since 2023, recording 31.5 career sacks, including eight in the previous season. In 2024, he achieved a career-high 10.5 sacks and signed a four-year, $54 million contract extension late that season.
This incident highlights the ongoing issue of domestic violence within professional sports. The NFL has faced criticism for its handling of such cases, and this event underscores the need for stringent policies and support systems to address and prevent domestic violence among athletes.
