Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach, Dave Merritt, was arrested and charged with domestic battery ahead of the NFL draft.
Court documents obtained by Us Weekly confirmed that bond was initially set for $2,500 when Merritt, 54, briefly appeared in court on a charge of domestic battery, knowing or reckless bodily harm to family/person in dating relationship, on Thursday, April 23. The Kansas City Star was first to report the news, claiming it was an incident that involved his daughter.
Merritt was arrested around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, just one day before the NFL draft. (Dave and his wife, Yolonda Merritt, share five children: sons David Jr., Devin, Dawson and daughters Drayah and Kiki.)
“[Meritt] unlawfully, knowingly, or recklessly [caused] bodily harm to a [victim] with whom the defendant is or has been in a dating relationship, or the defendant and such person are family or household members, a class B person misdemeanor, which constitutes a domestic violence offense,” the criminal complaint obtained by Us read.
As a condition of his bond release, Merritt must avoid violating any federal, state or municipal laws as well as refrain from using alcohol, illegal drugs or controlled substances and firearms. The coach is also banned from having any “contact” with the alleged victim or any potential witnesses.
Merritt’s next court hearing has been scheduled for June 24, which he can attend virtually.
A spokesperson for the Kansas City Chiefs told multiple media outlets that the organization was aware of Merritt’s arrest but had no comment at this time.
Us Weekly has reached out to the Chiefs for additional information.
Per the Chiefs’ website, Merritt has spent 29 seasons in the NFL, including four years playing for the Miami Dolphins, the Arizona Cardinals and the Arizona Cardinals.
Merritt joined the Chiefs’ coaching staff in 2019 as part of a major overhaul to the team’s defensive strategy.
In May 2023, Merritt was picked as one of 40 coaches taking part in the NFL Coach Accelerator Program, a league-wide initiative to increase diversity in head coach and general manager positions. The off-season program allowed Merritt to meet directly and build professional bonds with the owners of all 32 NFL teams.
“I think being able to meet all 32 [NFL] owners at the Accelerator Program in Minnesota this off-season was an eye-opener for me,” he told reporters in January 2024. “Being able to interact with the owners and [them] being able to see who I am, and my personality, I think it does nothing but build bricks for the next generation. I told my son… who is a coach, ‘I went there to lay a brick for you.’”
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He added, “I’ve been in this league for 27 years and I’ve been blessed. If God doesn’t do anything [for me], he’s done enough. Me going there was to lay a brick [for my son] and bring back some knowledge for [him] and maybe even some of [his] friends.”
Asked about potentially taking a defensive coordinator job in the future, Merritt said, “One thing my wife, Yolonda, and I discussed years ago was I wasn’t going to pursue any kind of coordinator job while my kids were young. …. When that time arrives, and I’m afforded a position to even go interview, I will consult with my wife and we will take the next step.”
Merritt has won five Super Bowls as a coach — three with the Chiefs and two with the New York Giants.
