Jaguars safety Earl Wolff was the victim of an alleged kidnapping on Feb. 23 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, the Fayetteville Observer reports, citing information from police reports and sources.
Wolff, who grew up in nearby Raeford and played football at N.C. State, was abducted by a group of men and later released unharmed south of Fayetteville, according to a relative and a source at N.C. State.
Fayetteville police said a call regarding a kidnapping and robbery was received about 3 a.m. Feb. 23. Wolff had been visiting friends at a home on Hazelhurst Drive and was walking to his 2011 white Range Rover when a group of men with guns accosted him and forced him into his vehicle.
"We don't know how long he was kidnapped," Fayetteville police spokesman Antoine Kincade told the Observer. "But it was a short period of time."
Wolff was unharmed and his car was later recovered, but Kincade said it's unclear if the Jaguars safety was the target of the crime.
"We are still following up on any leads that potential witnesses can give us," he said.
Meanwhile, N.C. State assistant athletics director for communications Annabelle Meyers told the Observer that she had spoken to Wolff and that he was "really shook up" by the incident. And Jaguars spokesman Tad Dickman tweeted Saturday that he had spoken with Wolff "and he's doing well, mentally and physically." Dickman added, "I ask that the media please respect his privacy."
The Observer reports that Bobby Deshawn Bailey of Raeford has been arrested in the case, and authorities said Bailey was charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, first-degree kidnapping, conspiracy, larceny, possession of a stolen motor vehicle and possession of marijuana. Bail was set at $156,000.
No other suspects have been identified at this time.
Wolff was originally a 2013 fifth-round pick of the Eagles. He played in Philadelphia for two seasons, appearing in 18 games. He was signed to the Jaguars' practice squad in December 2015.
