The once-private relationship between Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy and elite hurdler Tia Jones has erupted into a public and bitter legal battle, featuring arrests, a protective order, and competing allegations of domestic violence and extortion. What began as a quiet breakup in March 2025 has spiraled into a high-profile dispute with dueling narratives and a civil lawsuit seeking up to $1 million in damages.
From Instagram DM to Engaged: The Rise of a Power Couple
Long before the legal turmoil, Xavier Worthy and Tia Jones were a celebrated young couple. Their story began when Worthy, then at the University of Texas, first messaged Jones on Instagram. She didn't respond initially. Fate intervened months later when they met by chance at a valet stand in Texas. Jones, a professional track athlete training at the time, later described the meeting as divinely timed.
Worthy proposed in July 2024 during a beachside ceremony, captured in a viral Instagram post showing a rose-shaped heart and the words "MARRY ME." The couple moved in together that same month. Jones, rehabbing a serious ACL injury, was a constant presence during Worthy's rookie NFL season with the Chiefs, attending games and publicly supporting his career.
The Night That Changed Everything: Arrests and Allegations
The facade shattered on March 7, 2025, when Worthy was arrested in Texas on a charge of assault by impeding breathing. The arrest stemmed from an allegation that he choked Jones during an argument. However, after speaking with multiple witnesses, the Williamson County District Attorney declined to file criminal charges, and Worthy was released.
Despite no criminal case, a judge granted Tia Jones a protective order against Worthy on March 12. Her attorney, Angelica Cogliano, stated Jones was seeking justice through the formal legal process. This set the stage for a dramatic legal counterpunch from the NFL star.
Worthy's $1 Million Lawsuit: Claims of Extortion and Assault
On March 24, 2025, Xavier Worthy filed a civil lawsuit against his ex-fiancée, seeking between $250,000 and $1 million. The court filing presents a starkly different version of events. Worthy alleges that Jones fabricated the domestic violence claims in an attempt to extort him.
The lawsuit claims that Jones physically assaulted Worthy, scratching his face and ripping out parts of his hair. It further accuses her of destroying over $150,000 in property, including damaging a PlayStation 5 and wrecking his game room. Worthy also alleges Jones took $30,000 in cash and a handgun from their shared home, along with the key to his Rolls-Royce.
Worthy's legal team states the relationship deteriorated in February after he learned of alleged infidelity. He claims he repeatedly asked Jones to leave their home and even offered to help her find a nearby apartment.
Two Elite Careers, Now Entangled in Court
This dispute pits two high-achieving athletes against each other. Xavier Worthy is a rising star for the Super Bowl-contending Kansas City Chiefs. Tia Jones is a world-class hurdler who turned professional in 2019, signed with Adidas, and matched the world indoor 60-meter hurdles record in February 2024. Her career, though delayed by an ACL tear, saw her reach the semifinals of the 2024 U.S. Olympic trials.
The case now moves forward in Williamson County courts, with both individuals' reputations and futures on the line. The protective order remains pending a hearing, while the civil lawsuit begins its journey, ensuring this private breakup will remain a very public spectacle for the foreseeable future.
