Leroy Hill Arrested: Latest Assault Charges Reflect a Trend for Seahawks LB

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill is facing assault charges, according to the Associated Press, via USA Today.

Sound familiar?

Hill reportedly was arrested on investigation of unlawful imprisonment-domestic violence and third-degree assault-domestic violence on Wednesday, according to the Issaquah Police Department, per the Associated Press report.

Hill allegedly assaulted his 26-year-old girlfriend "several times" and blocked her way out of the house while keeping her cell phone away from her on Tuesday, according to the woman. She was able to escape the house after Hill went to the bathroom, police said.

The 30-year-old is no stranger to scrapes with the law. He was arrested by Issaquah police on a fourth-degree assault-domestic violence charge for "hitting his girlfriend" April 2010, as well. He's also been arrested twice for marijuana possession since 2009.

Hill, who made the Pro Bowl in his rookie campaign in 2005, posted 47 tackles, including 31 solo, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble in 13 games (12 starts) for the Seahawks this season, as the club went 11-5 and made it to the divisional round of the playoffs.

But, as gifted and explosive as he is on the field, he's similarly explosive off the field. The Georgia native's career has been marred by incidents beyond the gridiron in recent years. 

This comes at a critical juncture in the eight-year veteran's . After a lengthy run with the Seahawks, he's set to be a free agent in 2013. You have to wonder if the latest incident will hurt contract negotiations with other teams or if teams will stray from Hill altogether.  If his prospects haven't sunk in yet, you wonder if it ever will.

It's just another example of an athlete making ill-advised decisions that threaten to hurt his reputation and stock throughout the league, despite his accomplishments on the field.

Here's to hoping Leroy Hill can learn from his mistakes and finish his NFL career off on a high note wherever he lands next season.

Wanna talk sports?