Andy Reid: Willie Gay Jr. will play vs. Bills after arrest

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay Jr. Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs HC Andy Reid: LB Willie Gay Jr. will play vs. Bills after arrest

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 1/21/22

The hype surrounding Sunday's much-anticipated playoff showdown between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs took somewhat of a backseat to the news that Kansas City linebacker Willie Gay Jr. was arrested Wednesday night for misdemeanor property damage linked with an alleged argument he had with the mother of his three-month-old son.

Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo told reporters Thursday that coach Andy Reid wouldn't publicly address the potential distraction until his scheduled media availability on Friday. Gay officially pleaded not guilty on Thursday to what's classified as a Class B non-person misdemeanor that "constitutes a domestic violence offense."

Per Sam McDowell of the Kansas City Star, Reid said on Friday that Gay will be available for Sunday's must-win clash:

Full quote from Andy Reid on Willie Gay: "I decided he’d play. I’m not going to get into the conversations. I’m not going to do that. I decided that after just hearing some of the information that I heard." https://t.co/muFit5wkAn
— Sam McDowell (@SamMcDowell11) January 21, 2022

According to the police report, Gay is accused of committing $225 worth of damage to a vacuum cleaner, cellphone screen protector, humidifier and a wall/door frame. Nobody suffered any injuries regarding the matter, and neither drugs nor alcohol were involved.

In his second NFL regular season, Gay recorded 48 total tackles, two interceptions, 0.5 sacks and four pass breakups in 12 games and 11 starts.

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