Thomas Davis’ ex-wife gets diversion deal in assault case
Kelly Davis can avoid trial and have the misdemeanor case dismissed if she completes court-ordered conditions, according to records.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
2 min read
Kelly Davis, the ex-wife of former NFL linebacker Thomas Davis, has entered a pretrial diversion program in a North Carolina assault case tied to an alleged confrontation at a Charlotte chiropractic office.
North Carolina court records obtained by the California Post show Davis entered the program Monday. Under the deal, she must complete a Cognitive Behavioral Intervention course, avoid contact with Laura Watterson and pay $1,380 in restitution.
Her attorney, James J. Exum, told the outlet that the misdemeanor charge will be dropped if Davis satisfies all requirements of the program. Exum described the outcome as a “very fair resolution” for a person with no criminal record.
TMZ Sports reported that Davis was arrested in September and charged with misdemeanor assault and battery after Watterson alleged Davis came to her Charlotte chiropractic office and attacked her. According to that report, Watterson claimed Davis punched her in the chest and hit her several times in the head.
Davis later told TMZ she did strike Watterson, but said she acted to protect herself after Watterson allegedly grabbed her arm and dug her nails into it. The charge was not resolved by a trial, and the diversion agreement does not include an admission of guilt in the reporting.
Davis also told TMZ she went to the office to confront Watterson over an allegation that Watterson had slept with Thomas Davis. She denied that jealousy drove the encounter.
“I don't want that man [Thomas] back ever in my life,” Kelly Davis told TMZ at the time.
Kelly Davis and Thomas Davis married in 2008 and separated in March 2024. In court filings, Kelly later accused Thomas of cheating with at least six women during the marriage, according to the reporting. Their divorce became final in December 2025. No response from Thomas Davis to those accusations was included in the reports cited.
Thomas Davis was selected 14th overall in the 2005 NFL Draft and spent most of his 16-year career with the Carolina Panthers. He was named to three Pro Bowls and finished his career with more than 1,000 total tackles. He also played for the Chargers and the Commanders.
Kelly and Thomas Davis are the parents of Notre Dame linebacker Thomas Davis Jr.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.