Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is standing by Josh Jacobs after the star running back pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property.The 28-year-old Jacobs made his plea Thursday in Brown County (Wisconsin) Court, where he was given a $1,000 fine and a deferred judgment agreement in response to the May altercation with his now-former girlfriend.The three-time Pro Bowl selection was accused of grabbing the woman and throwing her to the floor of his garage, causing her to hit her head. Police said surveillance footage from the camera system in the garage backed up the woman’s accusations of battery and the destruction of her phone.Police said the woman had redness on her face and neck, as well as a bump on the back of her head.’I know the guy,’ LaFleur said Friday when asked about Jacobs’ no-contest plea. ‘And I know the character of the guy. I’ve said it many times. And unfortunately, situations occur in life, and it’s just an unfortunate situation.’LaFleur’s statement was met with widespread criticism on social media, where critics reprimanded him for appearing to minimize the crime. Packers coach Matt LaFleur (pictured) is standing by Josh Jacobs after the star running back pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property Jacobs made his plea Thursday in Brown County (Wisconsin) Court, where he was given a $1,000 fine and a deferred judgment agreement in response to the May altercation ‘Pretty unfortunate for the victim,’ another followed. ‘Yes. It’s sad what has become acceptable based on winning at all costs.’One X user suggested LaFleur ‘didn’t know [Jacobs’] character that well,’ while another called the coach and the running back ‘disgusting.’ Several responders put the blame not only on LaFleur, but the Packers as a franchise.’Beating your girlfriend is an ‘unfortunate situation,’ one person wrote on X. ‘This is the Packers organization in 2026, absolute trash.’Another added: ‘The Packers have let the world know their character.’As for Jacobs’ future this season, he remains on the commissioner’s exempt list as the league conducts its own investigation. As a result, he will continue to be paid, but won’t be permitted to practice or play with the team.LaFleur was also asked about keeping Jacobs on the roster in light of his no-contest plea.’Guys, I’m not going to get into any of this until the league completes their investigation,’ LaFleur said. Jacobs is due back in court in one year, when the criminal damage to property charge could be dismissed so long as he adheres to the five conditions of his deal with the court Jacobs is due back in court in one year, when the criminal damage to property charge could be dismissed so long as he adheres to the five conditions of his no-contest plea deal: No further criminal acts, no contact with the victim, supervision, counselling and restitution payments to the victim.’With this agreement, Josh has accepted responsibility for his conduct and resolved this matter,’ Jacobs’ attorneys said in a statement. ‘Today’s resolution is set against a career long history of Josh’s community work while in the NFL, which has centered on the circumstances of his early life.’The Alabama Crimson Tide great ran for 929 yards over 15 games last season, while scoring 13 touchdowns on the ground. His 61.9 yards per game tied for the lowest season mark of his seven-year NFL career. The former Alabama and Las Vegas Raiders running back joined the Packers in 2024Jacobs was arrested May 26, three days after Hobart-Lawrence police officers came to his home to investigate a disturbance. According to police, the woman said she had been looking through Jacobs’s phone and saw he was talking to other women, and that she threw the phone in anger without breaking it. She told police that Jacobs had her phone and she told him he could look through it.Police said the woman indicated she tried to retrieve her phone from Jacobs, but he grabbed her arm and began a struggle that lasted several minutes. They left the home in separate vehicles before eventually returning.According to police, the woman was trying to exit a garage door when Jacobs grabbed her and threw her to the ground, causing her to hit her head. Police said Jacobs also took the phone from her while she was on the ground.