Pittsburgh Steelers cut rookie running back Chris Rainey, Lakeland star, after arrest in Florida

Gainesville police officers charged Rainey with a single count of misdemeanor simple battery following an incident with his girlfriend.  Police say in a news release that Rainey was arguing with his girlfriend over his cellphone. His girlfriend got into a vehicle and the former Florida Gator tried to pull her out.

 

Witnesses told detectives that Rainey slapped his girlfriend across the face and then chased her when she ran away with his phone in her purse.

 

Rainey's agent, Joel Segal, didn't return a phone call for comment.

 

Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert called Rainey's actions "extremely disappointing." The Steelers selected Rainey in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

 

Rainey previously played as a star player with the Lakeland High School Dreadnaughts, leading his team with 2,478 yards rushing for 32 touchdowns - including 15 touchdowns runs of 50 yards for more - and helped lead them to their third consecutive Florida Class 5A state championship and the second straight USA Today national championship.  

 

He attended University of Florida on an athletic scholarship and was a member of the Gators' team that won the 2008 SEC Championship Game and the 2009 BCS National Championship Game.