The National Football League 's new domestic violence policy will be tested just three days after it was implemented by Commissioner Roger Goodell . San Jose , California , police arrested the San Francisco 49ers ' starting defensive end Ray McDonald on Sunday on felony domestic violence charges . Police say they responded at 2:48 a.m. to a reported incident , and after `` the domestic violence allegation was substantiated , '' they took the 6-foot-3 , 290 pound lineman into custody and booked him . CNN affiliate KTVU reports that several of McDonald 's 49er teammates were at his house at the time of the arrest . `` The 49ers organization is aware of the recent reports regarding Ray McDonald and we take such matters seriously . As we continue to gather the facts , we will reserve further comment , '' team General Manager Trent Baalke said in a statement . After he posted bail and was released from jail later Sunday , McDonald told KTVU he could n't say much about what happened . `` The truth will come out , '' he said . `` Everybody knows what kind of person I am ... .a good-hearted person . '' This is n't McDonald 's first brush with the law , according to KTVU . The station says in 2010 , McDonald was arrested for an outstanding warrant stemming from a DUI arrest . Goodell announced on Thursday that the league was instituting a six-game unpaid ban for personnel who violate the league 's policy on domestic violence . A second domestic violence incident would be punished by a lifetime ban from the league , Goodell said in a letter and memo to the owners of the league 's 32 teams . The NFL had endured relentless criticism after only suspending Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice for two games , several months after video showed Rice dragging his unconscious fiancee -- whom he later married -- from an elevator . Without referring to Rice by name , Goodell acknowledged in his letter that he made the wrong decision in that case . `` I did n't get it right . Simply put , we have to do better . And we will , '' he wrote . The NFL Players Association responded on Thursday to Goodell 's enhanced penalties . `` We were informed [ Thursday ] of the NFL 's decision to increase penalties on domestic violence offenders under the Personal Conduct Policy for all NFL employees . As we do in all disciplinary matters , if we believe that players ' due process rights are infringed upon during the course of discipline , we will assert and defend our members ' rights , '' said the association 's statement . McDonald , 29 , is expected to play a key role in the 49ers defense this coming season . The team has already lost outside linebacker Aldon Smith , arguably its best defensive player , to a nine-game suspension for violating the NFL 's substance abuse and personal conduct policies . McDonald has played almost all of the 49ers ' games since 2008 . He was drafted out of the University of Florida in 2007 .
`` The truth will come out , '' Ray McDonald tells CNN affiliate KTVU . The 49ers ' defensive lineman was arrested on domestic violence charges . The team says it is taking the matter seriously . NFL increased standard punishments for domestic violence on Thursday .