Junior Galette practices, comments on dismissed civil suit against him

RICHMOND — A civil suit against outside linebacker Junior Galette was dismissed Monday in a Louisiana court after the accuser failed to pursue the case.

Galette was arrested for simple battery at his Louisiana home on Jan. 5 after a 22-year-old woman called police and alleged Galette beat her. The domestic violence charge against Galette was dismissed in late February. The same woman filed a civil lawsuit against Galette, alleging three years of physical, mental and sexual abuse, the day the charge was dismissed. That suit was the one dismissed on Monday.

“God is good,” Galette said after practice. “Whoever has tried to put lies against my name, doesn’t matter. Truth came out. It’s unfortunate it took this long. It is what it is. Like I said, the courts have served me justice and I’m just blessed. That’s the past. I don’t even want to really talk about it.

“I’m happy, of course. Knew it was going to get dropped because I never did anything wrong. I’m just happy and blessed to have my name cleared out. But, it’s just unfortunate that you’ve got to go through all the stuff and all the negative stigma that surrounds your name with that whole domestic thing when it was never really that case. It is what it is. I’m here. Everything happens for a reason. I’m here with a great organization that’s on the rise.”

The Redskins signed Galette on July 31, surprising many around the league. Galette’s skill as a pass rusher is not in question. His character, after several incidents within the team structure and outside of it, has been.

The dismissal of the suit could help Galette’s chances of avoiding a suspension by the NFL. The Redskins were unsure at the time of his signing if he would be suspended in the future.

Galette practiced lightly on Monday for the first time since being signed. He put on shoulder pads, did extra work afterward and, with sweat pouring off his bald head, explained afterward how good it felt to be back on the field. The Redskins are going slow with Galette, who is trying to avoid further aggravating a pectoral injury.

“I’ve always been focused on football,” Galette said. “You’re going to deal with situations in life. Me being 27 years old, I’m getting better with these situations. I’m around a really good locker room and these guys really embrace me. … It’s a lot easier when guys are pulling for you and they’re not taking jabs at you and being negative about it. You’re around a second family.”