The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) has been granted an arrest warrant for NFL star Odell Beckham Jr. He has been charged with ‘simple battery.’
The alleged incident occurred at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Monday. Beckham was alleged to have slapped a security officer’s buttocks while celebrating LSU’s defeat of Clemson in the National College Championship. Beckham, now a wider receiver with the Cleveland Browns, played his college football for the LSU Tigers.
Video Footage showed Beckham appearing to slap a security officer’s buttocks in the LSU locker room during the celebrations after LSU’s 42-25 victory.
A statement from NOPD read: “Today, the NOPD has obtained an arrest warrant for Odell Beckham Jr.”
It said he was charged with “misdemeanour simple battery in regards to an incident that occurred on January 13, 2020 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.”
The Browns later released a statement of their own saying they had contacted Beckham regarding the warrant.
“We are aware of the incident and have been in touch with Odell and his representatives on the matter,” their statement said. “They (the Beckham camp) are cooperating with the proper authorities to appropriately address the situation.”
Beckham also videoed handing out bills
Beckham’s apparently happy slap was the second controversial incident involving him following LSU’s championship victory. Video footage also showed him handing out what looked like Dollar notes to players still on the field. And that is strictly illegal.
The NCAA rules strictly bar college players from accepting these kinds of payments.
LSU initially said they believed the bills to be fakes. They later released a statement, however, saying “information and footage received since shows apparent cash may have also been given to LSU student-athletes.” They added that they had contacted NCAA regarding that incident.
Beckham spent three years with LSU between 2011 and 2013, accumulating 2,340 receiving yards and completing 12 touchdowns.
The New York Giants selected him with the 12th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He then shot to prominence during his rookie year with an incredible one-handed catch against the Dallas Cowboys.
Beckham went to three straight Pro Bowls with the Giants before he was traded to Cleveland in March of this year.
In his debut season with the Browns, Beckham made 74 catches for 1,035 yards and four touchdowns – his lowest figures achieved in a full 16-game season.
Statement regarding Odell Beckham Jr. incident: pic.twitter.com/7cN3jOLCj6
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) 16 January 2020