SAN DIEGO — Former Pro Bowl receiver Chris Chambers went from one AFC West Division team to another this week in part because of an ongoing off-the-field situation involving his ex-girlfriend and his wife.
The issue dates back at least seven months and includes an extramarital affair, a pending divorce, Chambers' request for a restraining order against his ex-girlfriend and several lurid text messages from the woman to his wife, court records show.
Ultimately, Chambers — who admitted the Chargers had told him they had concerns about his personal situation — was released Monday, during a season in which his production was significantly down. He was claimed by the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday.
Chambers, 31, said Monday that “I guess it created a distraction upstairs. ... They know a little too much of my life, and they used it against me.”
On April 7, Chambers' wife, Christina, told San Diego Police she was being harassed by Stacey Saunders, 27. Chris Chambers acknowledged in court documents in June to having an affair with Saunders.
In April, San Diego Police reported that Chambers' wife said that “a woman who was having a relationship with her husband was calling (Christina) Chambers on her cell phone.” No charges were filed, but the San Diego County District Attorney's office is reviewing a harassment case involving Saunders.
On June 2, Chris Chambers requested a temporary restraining order against Saunders. It would have required Saunders to stay at least 100 yards away from Chambers and his family.
“Beginning in April, Ms. Saunders became aware that our affair, now broken off, was known to my wife,” Chambers wrote. “Since then she (Saunders) has launched an incessant attack verbally on me, and now my wife, her mother and sister. All calls, text messages and e-mails are abusive, vulgar and irrational. They have begun to mention intimate details of my life such as my son, home address, and family member locations.”
A hearing was scheduled June 23 in San Diego Superior Court. Judge Lisa Foster dissolved the request for the restraining order when neither party showed up.
A week later, Chris Chambers filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. The couple have a 2-year-old son and have been trying to work out custody, child support and spousal support arrangements.
“Unfortunately, this is a serious legal matter and I cannot comment at this time,” Christina Chambers wrote Tuesday in an e-mail to the
Union-Tribune .
Saunders could not be reached. Chambers didn't return calls seeking further comment. The Chargers have declined to go into details about Chambers' off-the-field situation.
Bookmarks