What They Don’t Tell You About NFL Criminal Charges: The DodCast Ep. 5

Posted on: September 17th, 2026 by Dod Ghassemkhani, ESQ

NFL Criminal Cases

NFL player arrests can become national news within minutes. A headline appears, social media reacts, television commentators debate what happened, and public opinion can form long before a criminal case reaches a courtroom.  Learn more on The DodCast Episode 5 and NFL criminal cases and what happens behind the headlines.

In The DodCast Episode 5: “What They Don’t Tell You About NFL Criminal Charges,” San Diego criminal defense attorney Dod Ghassemkhani sits down with former NFL defensive tackle Daylon Mack for a wide-ranging conversation about professional football, the business of the NFL, media scrutiny, and some of the league’s most widely discussed criminal cases.

The episode explores an important distinction that can easily disappear when a famous athlete is arrested: an allegation is not the same thing as a conviction, and media coverage is not the same thing as evidence presented in court.

Daylon Mack: From Texas A&M to the Baltimore Ravens

Before turning to NFL criminal cases, Mack takes listeners inside his own football journey.  A highly recruited Texas high school football player, Mack ultimately chose Texas A&M, where his college career put him on the path to professional football. The conversation touches on recruiting, college athletics, NIL, and Mack’s experience around future NFL talent.

One particularly interesting part of the episode involves Kyler Murray, who Mack knew during his college football years.

Mack later entered the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens, giving listeners an insider’s perspective on draft day, NFL training camp and what it is like entering a locker room filled with elite professional athletes. He also discusses playing during the rise of Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. But professional football can change quickly.

Mack explains the difficult business side of the NFL: roster decisions, being released, waiver claims and moving between organizations. The conversation also examines the emotional pressure players can experience when an NFL career suddenly changes.

What Happens When an NFL Player Faces Criminal Charges?

The discussion eventually shifts from football careers to the intersection of NFL players and the criminal justice system.

For Dod Ghassemkhani, this is where a criminal defense attorney must separate the public narrative from the legal case.

When a professional athlete is accused of a crime, there may effectively be multiple battles happening simultaneously.

There is the criminal case, where prosecutors must prove the allegations under the law. There may also be an NFL disciplinary process. At the same time, the athlete may be confronting enormous public scrutiny, damage to endorsement opportunities and uncertainty about his professional career. That makes high-profile criminal defense particularly complicated.

Deshaun Watson and the Power of the Media Narrative

Episode 5 discusses Deshaun Watson and the extensive public controversy surrounding allegations made against him.

Rather than simply accepting a headline as the complete story, the discussion highlights why attorneys must focus on evidence, procedure and the specific allegations involved in each case.

That principle applies whether the defendant is an NFL quarterback or someone whose case never receives media attention.

Criminal cases are decided through the legal process—not social media.

Aaron Hernandez, Henry Ruggs and Kellen Winslow II

The episode also examines several of the most recognizable criminal cases involving former NFL players, including Aaron Hernandez, Henry Ruggs III and Kellen Winslow II.

These cases involved very different allegations and circumstances, illustrating why NFL criminal cases should never be treated as though they are all the same.

The legal issues surrounding an alleged violent crime, DUI-related fatality or sexual offense can differ dramatically. Evidence, witnesses, forensic information, constitutional issues and potential defenses must all be evaluated individually.

That is why experienced criminal defense attorneys investigate the facts rather than relying on a defendant’s reputation—or the public narrative surrounding the case.

Ray Rice, Joe Mixon and Antonio Brown

The conversation also turns to domestic violence allegations and controversies involving NFL players, discussing Ray Rice, Joe Mixon and Antonio Brown.

These cases demonstrate another challenge facing professional athletes: video, social media and nonstop news coverage can shape public perception almost instantly. A criminal defense lawyer, however, must look beyond public reaction.

Questions involving admissible evidence, witness credibility, intent, constitutional rights and whether prosecutors can actually prove every element of an offense remain critical regardless of how famous the defendant may be.

NFL Players, Team Owners and Accountability

Mack and Ghassemkhani broaden the conversation by examining how misconduct involving players may be perceived differently from controversies involving powerful NFL owners and executives. The episode references Robert Kraft and Jed York while discussing questions about accountability and public scrutiny.

It raises a larger question: Does fame or status change the way allegations are discussed before all the facts are known?

Dod Ghassemkhani: Looking Beyond the Headline

The central lesson from The DodCast Episode 5 extends far beyond professional football. When someone is accused of a serious crime, the initial headline rarely tells the entire story.

For criminal defense attorney Dod Ghassemkhani, effective defense requires examining the evidence, challenging assumptions, protecting constitutional rights and making sure allegations are tested through the legal system.

NFL Criminal Cases

Whether the accused is an NFL superstar or an ordinary person facing the most difficult moment of his or her life, the fundamental principle remains the same:

An accusation begins a criminal case. It does not decide it.

Watch The DodCast Ep. 5: What They Don’t Tell You About NFL Criminal Charges for the full conversation with Daylon Mack and an inside look at football, NFL culture and the legal realities behind some of the league’s biggest headlines.

Watch Episode 5

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is intended for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship with Dod Law or Dod Ghassemkhani, Esq. Every criminal case is unique, and the laws, legal principles, and procedures discussed may not apply to your specific circumstances.

You should not act upon or rely on any information contained in this article without first consulting a qualified criminal defense attorney regarding your particular situation. If you have been arrested, are under investigation, or are facing criminal charges in San Diego County and Southern California, contact Dod Law to schedule a confidential consultation with Dod Ghassemkhani, Esq., and receive legal guidance tailored to your case.