Former Indianapolis Colts lineman and radio personality Joseph Staysniak is facing a strangulation charge and two counts of battery causing injury. He was arrested on charges of battery, pointing a firearm, intimidation, strangulation, and domestic battery.
Staysniak confronted his son and another individual in a car in his driveway. He allegedly pulled the hoodie of the individual, which choked him. The other person told police that Staysniak had a gun and put it against the side of his face. He also said Staysniak hit him and punched his son.
Staysniak’s son told police that his father punched him in the mouth and that he saw his father grab the individual’s hood, choking him, according to the Indianapolis Star.
According to the affidavit, Staysniak told officers that he got into an altercation with his son after receiving “a call from a neighbor advising him there was a suspicious car in their front yard.” He also admitted to having a firearm and showing it during the incident but denied pointing it or touching anyone with it.
He also claimed his son “tried to attack him,” prompting him to “physically restrain” him. His wife then separated the two.
Staysniak attended and played football for Ohio State before he was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the seventh round of the 1990 NFL Draft. He never played for the Chargers but made his NFL debut for the Bills in 1991. He then spent a year with the Chiefs before playing three years for the Colts.
He started in 33 of the 63 games he played and retired in 1996 after a year with the Arizona Cardinals.
After his playing career ended, Staysniak joined sports radio in Indianapolis including hosting morning shows “The Jeff and Big Joe Show” and “Grady and Big Joe.”
During his radio career, he was briefly suspended in 2020 for comments he made on-air about the George Floyd protests.
Joe Staysniak #79 of the Indianapolis Colts. Photo courtsey of Focus on Sport/Getty Images
