Former Cowboys star Leighton Vander Esch's father was arrested over the weekend on domestic violence-related charges.
The Idaho County Sheriff's Office announced that Darwin Vander Esch was arrested on a felony charge of attempted strangulation and charged with a misdemeanor count of domestic battery and a misdemeanor count of intentional destruction of a communication device.
According to the department, dispatch received a call at 12:16 a.m. Sunday that a domestic battery had malfunctioned at a home in the suburbs of Riggins, Idaho.
The news release states that deputies rushed to the scene and investigated the report.
Online records appeared to show Darwin Vander Esch bonded out of custody.
Leighton Vander Esch, who retired earlier this year due to injury after six seasons in the NFL, has not publicly commented on his father's arrest.
The former Cowboys linebacker was unsuccessful at Boise State and ultimately became Dallas' first-round pick in the 2018 draft.
Leighton Vander Esch had 469 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and three interceptions over six seasons.
He was a Pro Bowler as a rookie in 2018 and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team that same year.
Leighton Vander Esch has been plagued by neck injuries over the course of his career, missing seven games in 2018 and last season due to a neck ailment.
“I love the game of football so much that my body no longer responds,” Leighton Vander Esch said in a statement announcing his retirement. “I have cherished every moment of my NFL career and have been so happy to have played as many games as I have.”
He's not the only one in his family to play football, as his cousin Caleb Vander Esch played college football at South Dakota State and played pro football last season with the UFL's Arlington Renegades.
