Chiefs drop RB Kareem Hunt hours after release of disturbing video

The Kansas City Chiefs did not wait for the National Football League to do the right thing in the immediate aftermath of a disturbing video of running back Kareem Hunt assaulting a woman. They instead took matters into their own hands on Friday, releasing the second-year back mere hours after TMZ broke the story by way of their video.

“Earlier this year, we were made aware of an incident involving running back Kareem Hunt," the Chiefs said in a statement. "At that time, the National Football League and law enforcement initiated investigations into the issue. As part of our internal discussions with Kareem, several members of our management team spoke directly to him. Kareem was not truthful in those discussions. The video released today confirms that fact. We are releasing Kareem immediately.”

Hunt, meanwhile, released a brief statement shortly after his release.

On the field, this will leave the AFC-best Chiefs down one Pro Bowl running back, leaving Spencer Ware to shoulder the load as the team's starting back for the remainder of the regular season and through the postseason. Ware, who set career-highs across the board a year ago, has just 22 carries for a total of 124 yards and one touchdown this season.

At 9-2, the Chiefs hold a one-game lead over the 8-3 Patriots for the top seed in the AFC.