CALGARY -- Criminal charges have been laid against a former Calgary Stampeders star after police were called to an apparent domestic dispute this week.

Fred Childress, 45, an offensive lineman dubbed "The Big Chill" during his time with the Stamps from 1996 to 2003, was arrested in the city's southeast on Wednesday

He is now charged with assault with a weapon and assault causing bodily harm.

Court records allege the weapon used was a black leather belt.

Childress appeared without a lawyer late Wednesday in front of a justice of peace and released on conditions and a $2,500 non-cash bail.

His release conditions include not going within a two-block radius of a southeast home except with a police escort, not to possess weapons and he must surrender his passport.

Childress -- named to the West Division all-star team six times and the Canadian Football League's most outstanding lineman in 1998 -- retired in 2006 after his 13th CFL season.

In 2006, a city pawn shop said it was selling Childress' 2001 Grey Cup ring commemorating the Stamps victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for $8,500.

Fellow former Stamps alumni, Joffrey Reynolds, faces his own legal issues after being charged in an alleged domestic dispute.

The former Stamps running back is accused of break-and-enter and assault causing bodily harm involving a former girlfriend on July 14 at an Eau Claire condo.

He is also before court on traffic charges -- two counts of driving while unauthorized -- which could see him facing a minimum stay behind bars if convicted.

Reynolds' tickets were issued April 26 and May 9, just 13 days apart. In each instance he was allegedly driving black Cadillacs, a 2009 model the first time and a 2002 the second.

Shortly after his arrest on the assault charges, Reynolds was transferred to the custody of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) on unrelated immigration matters.

The US citizen is currently on release, with conditions, by Immigration and Refugee Board officials who said while he once had a valid work permit, it expired Feb. 15.

-- with files by Kevin Martin