Jerome Schaffer, Former Bengals Linebacker, Sentenced To Jail For Exposing Himself Near Church

OXFORD, OH — Jerome Schaffer's lawyer will argue later in August that the former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker should get off with only probation after a judge sentenced him this week to 180 days in jail on misdemeanor assault and indecent exposure charges.

Schaffer's multiple concussions from his college and NFL days on the field are a "legitimate and serious issue" for the former player, said Mike Allen, his attorney.

Authorities have said Schaffer was apparently under the influence of drugs when he was arrested in February after he got into a fight, tried to break into cars and exposed himself in a church parking lot. Schaffer, 26, pleaded no contest to the charges in June. (For more local stories, subscribe to the Oxford-Miami Patch and receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Schaffer has been doing well since his arrest, Allen said. He entered an inpatient treatment program and continues to receive counseling while pursuing a real estate license, Allen said.

"He's a different person than when we first started on the case," Allen said. "He's doing what he needs to do to address his issues."

A Butler County Court judge on Thursday agreed to delay imposing Schaffer's 180-day jail sentence until Aug. 31, the lawyer said. Allen will argue for a reduced sentence at another hearing before that date.

Schaffer starred at Cincinnati LaSalle High School and the University of Cincinnati before signing as a free agent linebacker in 2012. He played nine games for the Bengals in 2013 and was waived in 2014.

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