Former Arizona Cardinals safety and executive Adrian Wilson, most recently employed by the Carolina Panthers, allegedly assaulted his wife and threatened self-harm in June following her discovery of an affair and desire for a divorce, according to a Scottsdale police report.
Wilson, 44, returned intoxicated to his Scottsdale home around 1 a.m. on June 1 to find separation papers from his wife, Alicia, according to the police report obtained by Arizona Sports on Tuesday. Adrian, who had been staying in the family’s guest house, confronted Alicia in her bedroom, throwing various items including a lamp and incense holder. The altercation escalated to him choking and pushing her, the report detailed. He later retrieved a Glock handgun, but Alicia had removed the magazines, believing it unloaded. She managed to escape to a friend’s home nearby, with their three children present during the incident.
Following the assault, Wilson drove around making distress calls, expressing suicidal thoughts to family members, including his mother. He returned home and was subsequently arrested around 6:30 a.m. on charges of assault, criminal damage, and disorderly conduct, though he denied assaulting his wife during police questioning.
The altercation reportedly stemmed from Alicia hiring a private investigator who uncovered Adrian’s extramarital affair. Adrian admitted to the affair, citing emotional distress and feeling unsupported by Alicia as contributing factors.
Wilson, who joined the Panthers as vice president of player personnel in 2023, had a notable career with the Cardinals, earning five Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro nod during his 12 seasons in Arizona. He was also briefly involved with the New England Patriots and Chicago Bears but did not play a regular-season game with either team.