Introduction
Nashville, TN – Former NFL player and radio personality Jay Barker has publicly addressed the events surrounding his January 2022 arrest, which involved his estranged wife, country music star Sara Evans. Barker was charged with felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly attempting to hit a vehicle Evans was in with his own car.
In a recent statement, Barker offered his perspective on the incident, acknowledging the “challenges” his family has been facing. He emphasized that “headlines and quick-to-publish news stories do not adequately capture the full context and complex fabric of our lives.” He requested privacy for his family, especially for their children, stating, “I love my family dearly.”
The incident in question occurred after a verbal argument between Barker and Evans. According to reports, as Evans was leaving a party with one of their daughters, Barker allegedly reversed his truck at a high speed near their vehicle. While Evans herself stated she didn’t believe he was intentionally trying to hit their car, but rather see who she was with, her daughter was reportedly terrified and called the police.
Barker was arrested and later entered a “best interest” plea to a misdemeanor charge of reckless endangerment, receiving one year of probation.
Despite the highly publicized legal troubles and a previously filed divorce, Evans and Barker have since reconciled. Evans has spoken openly about the incident on her podcast, “Diving in Deep with Sara Evans,” and revealed that they have undergone extensive therapy and are working to rebuild their relationship. She noted that Barker has become a “completely different” person and that their children have forgiven him, stressing that their reconciliation is a deeply personal decision.