SHARE Raynoch Joseph Thompson (KNOX COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)

By News Sentinel Staff

KNOXVILLE— Former University of Tennessee All-American and Arizona Cardinals linebacker Raynoch Thompson was arrested over the weekend on a misdemeanor assault charge.

Thompson, 38, also was charged with failure to obey a judge's orders. Bonds were set at $4,000, and a preliminary hearing was set for Aug. 8 in Knox County General Sessions Court.

Thompson is accused of punching a roommate in the back of his head, grabbing him by the neck and threatening to kill him in a Kroger parking lot Saturday on Chapman Highway in South Knoxville, according to a warrant.

The altercation came after Thompson and the roommate, Francisco Rodriguez, had met with a Knoxville police officer on Friday, according to a warrant.

Rodriguez told the officer that he had allowed Thompson to stay at his house for a few weeks because he had no place to live, but he wanted Thompson to leave. Thompson agreed to leave, according to the warrant.

Rodriguez told an officer that on Saturday as he was walking to the Kroger, Thompson came up behind him and assaulted him. Rodriguez said he defended himself with an umbrella, striking Thompson several times before he walked away.

Rodriguez suffered a swollen cheek and abrasions on his knuckles and elbow. Thompson did not show any injuries.

A video from a nearby tobacco store showed Thompson walking at a fast pace behind Rodriguez, but the warrant did not state if it showed the alleged assault.

Thompson, who was drafted by the National Football League Cardinals in the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft, was arrested in February 2015 on charges of stealing 23 packs of energy pills from a West Knoxville convenience store. His bond was set at $3,000.

He was suspended in 2003 by the NFL for the final four games of the season for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

Thompson played five years with the Cardinals before being released in the 2004 season. He signed with the Green Bay Packers but was let go before the season began.

He was part of UT's 1998 national championship team and was named an All-American in 1999 with 87 tackles, seven for losses and three interceptions. He also was one of four finalists for the Butkus Award.