Darwin Vander Esch Arrested on Domestic Violence Charges

Darwin Vander Esch, the father of former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, was arrested on December 1 in Idaho for felony attempted strangulation, alongside charges of misdemeanor domestic battery and intentional destruction of a telecommunication device. The Idaho County Sheriff's Office responded to a domestic battery report around 12:26 a.m. and took Vander Esch into custody without bond. Leighton Vander Esch, who recently retired from the NFL due to injuries, has not publicly commented on the incident involving his father. A standout player, he was drafted by the Cowboys in 2018 and earned several accolades during his six seasons, including a Pro Bowl selection. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones praised Leighton's contributions to the team upon his retirement, emphasizing his passion and talent. The Cowboys currently hold a 5-7 record this season, placing them third in the NFC East.