NFL star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has been hit with an arrest warrant after he slapped a police officer on his bottom.
The Cleveland Browns player was in the locker room of LSU after they won the College Football Playoff game when he hit the police officer. New Orleans police then got an arrest warrant on Thursday morning, charging Beckham with simple battery.
A spokesman with the police said the warrant was issued as a result of the video footage. A police officer was inside the locker room reprimanding LSU players for smoking cigars inside and told them they could be arrested if they did not stop. Players were later allowed by another officer to continue smoking.
A source within law enforcement said the police attempted to get a sexual battery charge against Beckham but were rejected. In Louisiana, sexual battery cannot be removed from someone’s record, but simple battery can be.
“We are aware of the incident and have been in touch with Odell and his representatives on the matter,” the Browns said in a statement. “They are cooperating with the proper authorities to appropriately address the situation.”
Statement regarding Odell Beckham Jr. incident: pic.twitter.com/7cN3jOLCj6
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) January 16, 2020
Beckham, 27, was involved in another controversy after the game when he handed out wads of cash to players on the field. The move potentially violated NCAA bylaws, which ban paying players.
