The Atlanta Falcons waived former Notre Dame linebacker Prince Shembo on Friday, shortly he was charged with aggravated animal cruelty.
Police in suburban Gwinnett County said Shembo was charged after his then-girlfriend's dog died from blunt force trauma last month.
While he was playing for Notre Dame, Shembo was investigated but never charged in the alleged sexual assault of Lizzy Seeberg, 19, of Northbrook, in his dorm room in 2010. Seeberg, a Saint Mary's College freshman, killed herself 10 days after the incident by taking an overdose of the antidepressant Effexor.
On Friday, the Falcons moved quickly to cut ties with the player after the animal cruelty charge.