Chiefs Assistant Coach Charged for Alleged Domestic Battery to His Daughter Hours Before NFL Draft
Defensive backs coach Dave Merritt was accused of “unlawfully, knowingly, or recklessly” causing bodily harm to his daughter
Dave Merritt at a Chiefs game in Jan. 2026 Credit: Bri Ali/Kansas City Chiefs via AP NEED TO KNOW Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt was charged with misdemeanor domestic battery, according to court documents Merritt, a former NFL player, is entering his eighth season coaching with the Chiefs and 25th in the NFL The Chiefs have not commented on the allegations, which come just hours before the 2026 NFL Draft begins Kansas City Chiefs defensive backs coach Dave Merritt was charged Thursday on allegations of domestic battery to his daughter, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE. Merritt, a former NFL player , was arrested in Overland Park, Kan.
on Wednesday, April 22 and charged Thursday morning with misdemeanor domestic battery. In a complaint filed by the Johnson County District Attorney's office, Merritt is accused of "unlawfully, knowingly, or recklessly cause bodily harm to a person," whom they name as Drayah Merritt. Drayah is listed on Merritt's bio page on the Chiefs website as one of his two daughters, who he shares, along with three sons, with wife Yolanda.
Dave Merritt at a Chiefs game in Dec. 2025 Credit: Steve Sanders/Kansas City Chiefs via AP Follow your favorite athletes on and off the field with PEOPLE's free sports newsletter — sign up now! According to the complaint, the charge is a "class B person misdemeanor, which constitutes a domestic violence offense.
" PEOPLE has reached out to the Chiefs for comment. Merritt is set to begin his eighth season with the Chiefs this year, and his 25th coaching in the NFL. Prior to joining the Chiefs, he coached for the New York Jets, New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals.