Miami Dolphins outside linebackers coach Ryan Crow, 37, was arrested in the early hours of August 29, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, following a domestic disturbance that has now placed his coaching career on pause. According to multiple reports and police affidavits reviewed by outlets including CBS Sports, NBC Miami, and NewsNation, Crow faces a charge of battery/touch or strike related to domestic violence after an altercation with a woman he lives with. The incident, which occurred just after midnight, has prompted swift action from the Dolphins organization and cast a shadow over the team’s preparations for the upcoming NFL season.
Police were called to the 200 block of South Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale at approximately 12:10 a.m. after several witnesses reported a domestic disturbance. According to the probable cause affidavit cited by NBC Miami, Crow and the woman were engaged in an argument about past relationships. As the dispute escalated, witnesses observed Crow shoving the woman out of anger. One witness told police they saw Crow with his arms around the victim as if he was about to perform a takedown, noting, “the victim’s legs were off the ground and Defendant was whispering things into her ear. Victim looked terrified.” Another witness reported seeing Crow “throwing slaps and trying to grapple the victim.”
Despite the alarming accounts, the woman at the center of the incident told officers she was not injured and refused to provide a formal statement, as reported by the Associated Press. Police records confirm that Crow ceased his actions and returned to his apartment once he noticed bystanders observing the confrontation. Nevertheless, the presence of multiple witnesses and their detailed descriptions led to Crow’s arrest on the spot.
Broward County jail records show Crow was charged with battery/touch or strike in connection with domestic violence. As of Friday morning, he was being held at the Broward County Main Jail without bond. The Dolphins, reacting quickly to the seriousness of the allegations, announced in a statement, “We are aware of the serious matter involving Ryan Crow and currently gathering more information. Ryan has been placed on administrative leave effective immediately. We have been in communication with the NFL and will reserve further comment at this time.”
The arrest comes at a critical juncture for the Dolphins, with the regular season opener against the Indianapolis Colts looming on September 7, 2025. For Crow, the incident threatens to derail a career that, until now, had been defined by steady progress through the NFL coaching ranks. Crow joined the Dolphins as outside linebackers coach in 2024 after a six-year tenure with the Tennessee Titans, where he served in various roles including defensive assistant, special teams coach, and outside linebackers coach. His coaching journey began in 2018 with the Titans, and he quickly earned a reputation for helping defenders achieve career-best seasons, particularly during his stint overseeing the Titans’ linebackers.
While the Dolphins have refrained from further comment, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation and their communication with the NFL, the gravity of the situation is clear. Domestic violence allegations in the NFL have long been a source of controversy and public scrutiny, with teams and the league often criticized for their responses to such incidents. In this case, the Dolphins’ decision to place Crow on administrative leave immediately signals a desire to act decisively and transparently, at least in the early stages of the investigation.
The details of the altercation, as described in police reports and witness statements, paint a troubling picture. According to NBC Miami, one witness recounted seeing Crow lift the victim off the ground while whispering in her ear, an image that underscores the fear and distress experienced by those present. Another witness described Crow’s attempts to slap and grapple the victim, further corroborating the aggressive nature of the encounter. The fact that Crow stopped only when he realized he was being watched suggests an awareness of the severity of his actions, even if only in the moment.
Despite the victim’s refusal to press charges or provide a formal statement, the presence of multiple eyewitnesses and their consistent accounts were sufficient for law enforcement to proceed with the arrest. As NewsNation reported, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department responded promptly to the scene and took Crow into custody based on the information provided by those who witnessed the incident firsthand.
The Dolphins’ front office, already under pressure to deliver results on the field, now faces the added challenge of managing the fallout from Crow’s arrest. The timing could hardly be worse, with training camps wrapping up and the regular season about to kick off. For players and staff, the incident is a stark reminder of the personal and professional stakes involved in maintaining the integrity and reputation of the organization.
Crow’s prior accomplishments as a coach are now in sharp contrast to the allegations he faces. During his time with the Tennessee Titans, he played a key role in elevating the team’s defensive performance, particularly against the run, and was credited with helping several players reach new heights in their careers. His move to Miami was seen as a promising step forward, both for him and for the Dolphins’ defense. Now, however, his future with the team—and perhaps in the league—hangs in the balance as the legal process unfolds.
As of this writing, Crow remains in custody without bond, and the Dolphins have made it clear that he will not be involved with the team until further notice. The NFL, which has faced criticism in the past for its handling of domestic violence cases, is likely monitoring the situation closely. Whether additional disciplinary action will be taken by the league remains to be seen, but the precedent in similar cases suggests that the consequences could be severe if the allegations are substantiated.
For now, the focus remains on the investigation and the well-being of those involved. The Dolphins, like many organizations confronted with such incidents, are treading carefully as they balance legal considerations, public relations, and the demands of a new season. As more information emerges, the story of Ryan Crow’s arrest will continue to unfold, with implications not only for his own career but also for the broader conversation about accountability and conduct in professional sports.
The Dolphins’ season opener against the Colts will proceed as scheduled, but the absence of their outside linebackers coach will be felt on the sidelines. For fans, players, and the wider NFL community, the incident serves as a sobering reminder that the challenges teams face often extend far beyond the field of play.
