Troubled Seahawk Wayne Hunter released

The Seahawks keep making it crystal clear: They won't tolerate players' run-ins with the law.

The latest casualty of the team's staunch emphasis on character was cut loose Tuesday, as the Seahawks released offensive lineman Wayne Hunter.

Hunter's release came just three days after he was cited for fourth-degree assault and malicious mischief for destruction of property at a Renton sports bar.

It was the second known off-field transgression that Hunter has committed since being drafted by the Seahawks in 2003.

According to a witness account in a police report, Hunter and his brother were arguing Saturday night at Classic Sports Bar. The verbal exchange became so heated that the brothers broke a table and glasses as they took the argument outside.

Hunter got his brother, Alexander, into a car, the report said, then re-entered the bar. He asked a bystander what he was looking at, and when the man said, "Nothing," the 6-foot-6, 310-pound Hunter slammed the man into a shuffleboard table and threatened to punch him.

Hunter, his brother and friends then drove away from the bar, only to be stopped by police shortly after restaurant patrons recognized Hunter and described the vehicles in which they left.

Hunter was cited and released without being booked.

Hunter, 24, was ordered to undergo domestic-violence counseling in 2003 after being arrested for minor assault against his girlfriend that summer. The violation of the NFL's personal-conduct policy resulted in one-game suspensions in 2004 and 2005.

Hunter, a tackle and guard, appeared in only two games for the Seahawks. The third-round draft pick from Hawaii was limited by injuries and was facing competition to keep a spot on the roster this season because of his health issues and the fact that the Seahawks have added to their offensive-line depth.

Note

• The team also cut rookie Kyle Ralph, a guard out of North Carolina who was signed after the draft. The team signed CB Gerard Ross, an undrafted rookie from Florida State.