Kelly Davis, the estranged wife of former NFL linebacker Thomas Davis, was arrested this week on a misdemeanor assault and battery charge after allegedly striking a Charlotte chiropractor at her office and again after being escorted from the building, according to court documents and media reports.
The alleged incident occurred on Aug. 26, when chiropractor Laura Watterson says Kelly Davis arrived at her office to confront her over a suspected romantic involvement with Thomas Davis. An arrest warrant was issued Aug. 29, and Kelly Davis was taken into custody last Wednesday, media outlet TMZ reported.
Court filings say the confrontation unfolded while Watterson was with a patient. The filings allege Kelly Davis began yelling at Watterson, who attempted to escort her from the office. The documents state the first strike occurred as Watterson tried to remove her, knocking off Watterson’s glasses, and that Davis then struck Watterson again on the other side of her head.
Kelly Davis told TMZ she had struck Watterson in self-defense, saying the chiropractor grabbed her arm and dug her nails into it, prompting an initial slap. She also admitted to striking Watterson again after being escorted out of the office, according to the report.
Kelly Davis has been charged with one count of misdemeanor assault and battery. Her lawyer, James J. Exum, told TMZ that Davis is innocent and that they “look forward to challenging the false allegations once we have a court date.”
The court documents referenced in media reports also note that Kelly and Thomas Davis, who married in 2008, split in March. Those filings allege the former Carolina Panthers defensive back engaged in “illicit sexual conduct with at least six women” during their relationship. The couple has two children; one son, Thomas Davis Jr., is a Notre Dame football commit.
Watterson’s online profile lists experience working with athletes, including NFL players, but the court documents cited in media reports did not provide independent proof of a romantic relationship between Watterson and Thomas Davis. Thomas Davis, who played in the NFL from 2005 through 2020 — including 13 seasons with the Panthers and one season each with the Chargers and Washington — has not publicly commented on the matter.
The case will proceed through the Mecklenburg County legal system. No court date was reported in the media coverage at the time of publication. Prosecutors will determine whether to pursue the misdemeanor charge, and defense lawyers have indicated they will contest the allegations.