Browns' Malik McDowell arrested after injuring police officer
In a strange turn of events, the Browns' player rushed at police - while naked - resulting in the injury of one officer and the eventual use of a taser before his arrest.
It would seem the Browns have their first off season headache, unfortunately it concerns the off field discipline of one of their players.
Browns' Malik McDowell arrested on multiple charges
According to an online record from the Broward Sheriff's Office on Monday, Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Malik McDowell was arrested in Florida following a physical altercation with police. Officially charged on three counts, there was battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest and then the more bizarre charge of violence and public exposure. There were also references to the arrest report which stated that McDowell beat a deputy in a "violent attack" that left the officer "dazed." It is understood that McDowell is currently being held on $27,000 bond.
The Browns have their say
"We are aware of the very concerning incident and arrest involving Malik McDowell and are in the process of gathering more information. We understand the severity of this matter and our thoughts are for the well-being of all involved. We will have no further comment at this time." Those were the words released in a statement given by a Browns spokesperson. It is of course understandable given that at this time there are no further details regarding either McDowell or the officer involved.
What exactly happened with Malik McDowell?
As per the incident report obtained by the Sun-Sentinel, police in Deerfield Beach, Florida responded to a call concerning a naked man walking near a school. It was later established that it was in fact a children's learning center in which classes were actually in session. Once Police approached McDowell it is understood that the Browns' player charged at the officers with "full speed with closed fist." The resulting confrontation left one deputy injured at which point McDowell fled the scene, however, he was eventually tased, subdued and handcuffed.
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Malik McDowell's sad history
Back in 2017, McDowell was selected in the second round of the draft by the Seattle Seahawks, however, in an unfortunate turn of events McDowell is sustained a head injury in an ATV accident. Sadly, he would never play a single game for Seattle as the team released him before training camp in summer of the following year. Then in 2019 McDowell was charged on three counts in Michigan: driving under influence, obstruction of justice and assaulting a police officer. Indeed, video evidence would later show McDowell fighting with officers before being tased. Just two months later McDowell would be found to be in possession of a stolen vehicle which naturally led to another charge. He was sentenced to 11 months in prison and three years of probation after pleading guilty.
Suffice to say, some eyebrows were raised when the Browns gave McDowell a second-chance last year. At the time Cleveland's general manager Andrew Berry stated that McDowell had been "accountable for his actions" and more over was "in a good place, personally and medically." For a time it seemed to be the case, as the defensive tackle got himself into the starting line up and finished the season with a credible 33 tackles and three sacks. In the end, however, it was regrettably not to be.