Country music superstar Sara Evans filed for divorce from former football quarterback and sports radio personality, Jay Barker, prior to his arrest for allegedly attempting to run Evans over with his vehicle.
According to documents obtained by Scoop Nashville, Evans filed for divorce in August 2021, citing “irreconcilable differences and inappropriate marital conduct,” making the continuation of their marriage both “impossible and impractical.”
Court records indicate that Barker has not responded to the divorce filing nor has he participated in court proceedings.
Last month, Evans requested that a Nashville judge grant the divorce according to the terms of their binding Antenuptial Agreement, which was signed in 2008 and states that both parties would exit the marriage as they came, with no additional monies or assets granted to either party upon divorce, and removing either party from any asset claims or distribution upon the death of either party if a divorce occurred.
The agreement also states that the “actual reasons for divorce shall be kept private to the extent possible” and “neither party will discuss or reveal the terms of the agreement, and the terms and conditions shall remain confidential.”
Evans’ request to have the divorce finalized due to Barker’s failure to respond or participate in court proceedings is pending a final hearing date.
The news of their pending divorce comes to light after Evans’ husband, Barker, was arrested by Nashville Police earlier this weekend.
Barker was arrested and charged with felony assault on Saturday morning (Jan. 15), according to the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office.
According to an affidavit obtained by CBS42, Evans was heading home from a gathering at her neighbor’s house in the passenger side of a friend’s car to ride across the street to her house. The report states that when they were passing the driveway, Barker was “reversing his vehicle at a high rate of speed attempting to hit them, but missed.”
Evans reportedly contacted police after the incident when Barker allegedly drove away. Police say Barker later returned to speak with them prior to issuing a warrant for his arrest.
The “Suds In The Bucket” singer and her witnesses Emma Caldwell, Olivia Schelske, and Adam Story claim that Barker was intentionally trying to hit them.
The 49-year-old sports radio personality, who hosts Tide 100.9’s The Jay Barker Show, was arrested in Nashville, Tennessee and charged with one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
According to public records, Barker, the former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback, whose real name is Harry Jerome Barker, was booked into the Davidson County Jail at 4:52 a.m. on Saturday morning and was placed on a 12-hour hold for domestic violence.
Barker was released from the jail just before 7:30 p.m. after posting a $10,000 bond.
Following the news of Barker’s arrest on Saturday (Jan. 15), the affidavit, obtained by ABC33/40, states that while the couple is still legally married, they have been separated and are currently living in different homes.
The couple’s separation may come as a shock to fans as Evans and Barker never publicly hinted that they were experiencing relationship troubles.
It appears Evans hasn’t shared any photos or videos with Barker on Instagram since March 29, 2021, when he appeared for an episode of Evan’s Closet Chaos series, which you can watch below.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CNBkiBopLMs/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=7ff26867-323a-4516-acc4-17780b2d5fc1
Barker hasn’t shared any photos or videos to his social media accounts since wishing Evans a Happy 12th Anniversary in June 2020.
Though the affidavit states that Evans and Barker are living separately, it is unclear where their combined seven children are currently residing.
Evans is the mother of Avery Jack (1999), Olivia Margaret (2003), and Audrey Elizabeth (2004) from a previous marriage, while Barker is the father of Andrew (1999), Braxton (2000), and twins Sarah Ashlee and Harrison (2001) from his previous marriage to Amy DiGiovanna (1995 – 2007).
No additional details about his arrest have been revealed, however, Barker is scheduled to appear in court on March 22 to settle the case. This story is still developing.
Throughout Barker’s career in the NFL, he has played for the New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, and the Green Bay Packers. In addition, he also played for the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League.
Evans and Barker were initially introduced by a mutual friend. They were both going through divorces and bonded over their similar life situations. The pair tied the knot on a farm just outside of Nashville on June 14, 2008.
Evans was previously married to Craig Schelske, and went through a very public breakup and divorce beginning in the fall of 2006 when she was a competitor on Dancing With The Stars. At the time, she withdrew herself from the competition to focus on her family.
