Earl Wolff, a practice squad defensive back for the Jacksonville Jaguars, was allegedly kidnapped last month by gunmen in North Carolina before being released unharmed, according to an online police report.
The 26-year-old, who previously played for the Philadelphia Eagles and North Carolina State, was visiting friends in Fayetteville on Feb. 23 when he was taken at gunpoint and forced into his 2011 Range Rover around 3 a.m.
“We don’t know how long he was kidnapped,” Fayetteville police spokesman Antoine Kincade told the Fayetteville Observer, which was the first to break the news Saturday. "But it was a short period of time."
Wolff tweeted his gratitude to his supporters on Sunday.
Jaguars spokesman Tad Dickman tweeted Saturday that Wolff was doing well and asked that the media respect his privacy.
On Thursday police arrested a suspect in the attack, identified as Bobby Deshawn Bailey.
The 21-year-old faces charges of robbery with a dangerous weapon, first-degree kidnapping, conspiracy, larceny, possession of a stolen motor vehicle and possession of marijuana.
It’s not yet clear whether Wolff’s kidnapping was targeted or random.
Wolff played 11 games for the Eagles in 2013 and seven in 2014. He was waived in August and after agreeing to an injury settlement went on to sign to the Jaguars' practice squad in December, according to ESPN.
