Raiders cut Damon Arnette after disturbing video surfaces

Damon Arnette Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders cut 2020 first-round pick Damon Arnette after video filled with death threats, firearms surfaces

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 11/8/21

The Las Vegas Raiders' tumultuous 2021 campaign continues. ESPN's Paul Gutierrez reported Monday that Las Vegas released Damon Arnette after video surfaced of the second-year cornerback making death threats and brandishing firearms.

#Raiders waive CB Damon Arnette: “Very painful decision. We spent significant time, effort and resources trying to help him in all aspects of his life...we cannot stand for the video of Damon with a gun, threatening to take a life." - #Raiders GM Mike Mayock
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) November 8, 2021

The Ohio State product had some character issues on record when the Raiders picked him in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The then-Oakland-based franchise thought it could help turn him around.

Mayock acknowledged there was “significant concern” over Arnette’s character coming out of college, but Raiders felt they could help him on and off the field. Said the risk was “acceptable” but, “Obviously, we missed. That is 100 percent on me.”
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) November 8, 2021

The Raiders' other first-round pick in that draft was Henry Ruggs III, who was released last week following his involvement in a fatal car crash and still-emerging gun charges.

Las Vegas has fared pretty well this season in spite of so much adversity and currently sits tied with the Los Angeles Chargers atop the AFC West with a 5-3 record. The Raiders are, however, coming off a messy 23-16 loss to the New York Giants. They return to Sin City next weekend to host the Kansas City Chiefs.

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