Bills OL coach Kromer arrested in Florida for punching boy

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. // Buffalo Bills offensive line coach Aaron Kromer was arrested Sunday in Florida after shoving a boy to the ground and punching him, authorities said.

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office said the dispute arose after Kromer and his son confronted three boys about their use of beach chairs while fishing near their home. In a statement, the sheriff’s office said Kromer grabbed the boys’ fishing pole and threw it in the water before assaulting one boy.

“The victim stated Kromer also told him if he reported him to the police he would kill his family,” the sheriff’s office said.

Kromer, 48, was taken into custody just before 2 a.m. Sunday and released on bond about an hour later, jail records show.

He is charged with battery that caused bodily harm, but the sheriff’s office said it was still investigating and additional charges are possible. The sheriff’s office did not release the names or ages of the boys who were involved in the incident.

In a written statement, the Bills said, “We are aware of the report and in the process of gathering the facts.”

Kromer joined the team in January after being fired from the Chicago Bears.

NFL players were involved in notable domestic violence cases last year, including former Baltimore running back Ray Rice and Minnesota rusher Adrian Peterson, and the league toughened the punishments for domestic violence in the wake of those incidents.

Kromer joined the staff of new Bills coach Rex Ryan after two seasons as offensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears. But Kromer took heat from within the club last season after admitting he made critical remarks regarding Bears quarterback Jay Cutler.

Kromer’s previous coaching stops between 2001 and 2012 included time on NFL staffs at Oakland, Tampa Bay and New Orleans.

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