Jay Barker has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly trying to slam his vehicle into another vehicle occupied by Sara Evans, his estranged wife.
The 49-year-old posted a message regarding the incident on The Jay Barker Show‘s Instagram page, which is dedicated to his self-titled Alabama sports radio show.
We all confront challenges in life, and my family and I are facing one now. Unfortunately, headlines and quick-to-publish news stories do not adequately capture the full context and complex fabric of our lives. I love my family dearly, and at this difficult time, I respectfully ask for privacy for the sake of my family and especially for our kids.
Evans, an accomplished country singer, reportedly filed for divorce from Barker in August 2021. They were married in 2008 and share seven children from previous marriages.
The native of Birmingham, Ala. played three seasons at quarterback with the Toronto Argonauts (1998-2000), passing for 3,433 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions. He also rushed 93 times for 576 yards and five touchdowns.
Barker is best-known for leading the Alabama Crimson Tide to a national championship in 1992, upsetting the No. 1-ranked Miami Hurricanes by a score of 34-13. He won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award in 1994 and finished fifth in voting for the Heisman Trophy after throwing for 1,996 yards, 14 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
He was selected in the fifth round of the 1995 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers but was released by the team before brief stints with the New England Patriots (1995) and Carolina Panthers (1996). He also spent one year in the XFL with the Birmingham Thunderbolts in 2001.
