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Former Buc Chris Hovan ordered to stay away from home, family in domestic violence case

 
Jaimi and Chris Hovan, shown here at a Tampa celebrity benefit in December 2011, are embroiled in a domestic dispute that led a judge to issue a restraining order against the former NFL defensive lineman. [Times files (2011)]
Jaimi and Chris Hovan, shown here at a Tampa celebrity benefit in December 2011, are embroiled in a domestic dispute that led a judge to issue a restraining order against the former NFL defensive lineman. [Times files (2011)]
Published Dec. 28, 2018

TAMPA — The wife of former Tampa Bay Buccaneer defensive tackle Chris Hovan has obtained a temporary injunction against him based on allegations of domestic violence.

A judge granted Jaimi Hovan possession of the couple's $1.58 million, 8,000-square-foot waterfront home in Lutz and ordered him to stay away from their four children, ages 5 to 11, according to the Dec. 10 injunction.

Hovan, 40, a former first-round draft pick from Boston College, spent 10 years in the NFL from 2000-09, his last five with the Bucs. He later worked in coaching, including a stint with the now-defunct Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League and, according to his Linked-In business network page, the Chamberlain High and Steinbrenner High football teams.

A Hillsborough Sheriff's Office form submitted with the restraining order request says Hovan has violent tendencies, mental health problems, is alcoholic and abuses drugs, and is armed and dangerous.

A judge ordered him to surrender any firearms he has to the Sheriff's Office, to stay at least 500 feet from the Lutz home and 100 feet from his wife's vehicle, and to stay away from his children's sporting events. He also was ordered to place an alcohol-testing device on his vehicle and on his ankle and to complete a substance abuse evaluation as well as anger management and parenting courses.

The temporary injunction was extended on Dec. 17 until the couple's next court date May 8.

Contacted by phone Thursday, Hovan declined to comment.

Hovan had run-ins with the law in Hillsborough County more than a decade ago.

He was arrested in April 2015 on a charge of leaving the scene of a crash without providing information, and in May 2015

on charges of driving under the influence and DUI with property damage or injury. Charges were dropped in the first case and he entered a no contest plea and served probation in the second.

Staff writer Anastasia Dawson contributed to this report.