Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs filed a civil suit seeking to permanently seal evidence from his battery case, including surveillance video from a garage camera system at his home.
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Brown County Circuit Court against the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department, seeks a permanent injunction and protective order restricting public access to the records.
Jacobs joined his ex-girlfriend, identified in the filings as ANM, in arguing that the release would threaten her privacy, dignity, safety, emotional well-being, and ability to get closure. His complaint states that redactions of names or faces are not sufficient, as advanced artificial intelligence could potentially identify him from body shape or other details in the video.
The case stems from an altercation on May 23 at Jacobs’ residence. According to the criminal complaint, he grabbed her and threw her to the ground as she tried to exit the garage, causing her to hit her head. Police said he also took and destroyed his phone while he was on the floor.
Surveillance footage from the garage corroborated parts of his account. Jacobs was arrested on May 26 and later charged in August with misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property after initial potential felony counts were reduced.
On September 10, he pleaded no contest. He was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and costs on the battery charge, with the property damage count suspended for 12 months and subject to dismissal if he meets conditions including no contact with the victim, counseling, supervision, and restitution.
A judge later lifted a temporary seal and left release decisions to police, who approved limited records with redactions before new filings stalled the process.
Jacobs also argues that releasing the video would reveal details of his garage’s layout, entrances, and security arrangements, increasing the risks of theft or robbery for a public figure whose schedule is widely known.
The NFL, which placed him on the commissioner’s exempt list on Aug. 30 pending its personal conduct review, requested the video as part of its investigation. He remains unable to practice or play while receiving a salary, with no timetable for a resolution. Time on the list will count toward any eventual suspension.