PHILADELPHIA — Former University of Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond had the sexual assault case against him no-billed by a Texas grand jury Aug. 14. Not long after that news came out, he got on social media and posted he intended to sign with the Cleveland Browns.
“First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Cleveland Browns for believing in me and allowing me the opportunity to continue my career in the NFL,” Bond’s statement, through his representation, CMV Sports, said on X. “Football has been my passion since I was six years old, and playing at this level is a blessing I will never take for granted. … I want to sincerely thank the Cleveland Browns, specifically (team owner) Mr. (Jimmy) Haslam and (general manager) Mr. (Andrew) Berry. …”
A league source said the Browns were doing “due diligence” on Bond. However, that source also indicated there was no deal done.
Bond went undrafted in April after his arrest earlier in the month on an outstanding sexual assault warrant. The warrant stemmed from a Feb. 4 incident in which the alleged victim stated she and Bond met in what started as a consensual encounter before he committed non-consensual acts.
The victim alleged Bond asked her to sign a non-disclosure agreement. According to the allegations, he also later offered her money in a text message apology.
“I know there have been questions and reports about the recent allegations,” Bond said in his posted statement on social media Aug. 14. “I am grateful for the decision of the prosecutor and the courts not to pursue charges. … On the advice of my attorney, I will not discuss the details of this case, but I want to be clear, from the very beginning I have refuted these allegations and maintained my innocence. I stand firm by that today.”
Bond was released from the Collin County jail after posting bail of $25,000. He went on social media and claimed the accusation was “patently false,” and later filed a lawsuit against the woman, which included claims of defamation, but it was dismissed with prejudice in July by the United States District Court in Northern Texas.
The wide receiver spent his first two collegiate seasons playing at Alabama, catching 65 passes for 888 yards and five touchdowns. He transferred in 2024 to Texas, where he caught 34 passes for 540 yards and five touchdowns.
Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Isaiah Bond says he’s signing with Browns after Texas charge dropped, but no deal done yet
Reporting by Chris Easterling, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
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