NFL running back Alvin Kamara was arrested on suspicion of battery resulting in substantial bodily harm just hours after playing for the NFC in the Pro Bowl on Sunday in Las Vegas.
According to a report from ESPN, police arrived at a Vegas hospital on Saturday evening, where a person told them they had been the victim of a battery at a local nightclub. Detectives with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department determined that Kamara was the suspect.
Per police, video footage supports the account that the victim gave. A man identified as the Saints’ star running back is seen on surveillance cameras punching a man eight times. The unidentified alleged victim says that he was at Cromwell Casino at Drais After Dark Club when he encountered Kamara and a group of people getting on the elevator. When he tried to enter with them, he says Kamara put his hand out to stop him.
After the man pushed him, Kamara pushed back, causing the man to stumble and what he last remembers is being hit by multiple people.
Kamara, who won the Jim Finks award this year for being the Saints’ most quotable athlete, has no prior behavior issues in the league, although he did get involved in some teenage hijinks while at the University of Alabama. (He ultimately transferred to Tennessee.)
But the video footage shows that after Kamara’s associate punched the man, Kamara did, too, at least eight times, including three when the man was already on the ground. Kamara’s friends then stomped the man at least 16 times, as seen on the video.
Kamara, who said he was with his girlfriend, (who most recently was WNBA star Te’a Cooper, though the woman he was with was not identified), gave an account that does not match the video. Kamara told police that he punched the man as he was running away after saying the man called someone ugly in his group, then threatened Kamara, saying “I’ll whip you a—, too.” But footage does not support Kamara’s version of events.
Kamara’s group was escorted from the casino after the altercation. He was arrested following Sunday’s game after being identified by the victim, and through witnesses and surveillance cameras.
Kamara made four catches for 23 yards in the Pro Bowl in a loss to the AFC Sunday. His appearance was his fifth in the event, which is the all-star game of the National Football League. He’s played in the game every season that he’s been in the NFL. In 2017, he was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The star athlete was released after posting a $5000 bond.
According to TMZ Sports, battery with substantial bodily Injury is a felony in the state of Nevada and could result in a lengthy prison term.
Neither Kamara nor the New Orleans Saints have issued a statement about Kamara’s arrest as of press time.
An Atlanta native, he tied a single-game NFL record with six rushing touchdowns in a victory of the Saints over the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Day, per Sports Illustrated. He tied with Ernie Nevers of the now-defunct Chicago Cardinals, who ran for six touchdowns in a win over the Chicago Bears in 1929.
Kamara also serves as a growth and engagement advisor for NASCAR. His last tweet before his arrest was thanking that league for a Pro Bowl gift.
The running back is the second active NFL player arrested in Las Vegas in six months.
Henry Ruggs III was charged with DUI with serious bodily harm and reckless driving with death or serious bodily harm after the Las Vegas Raider’s involvement in a fatal car accident in November.
The 22-year-old wide receiver was driving a Chevrolet Corvette at a high rate of speed when he crashed into a Toyota Rav4, killing 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her dog, Max, theGrio previously reported.
According to reports, Ruggs was allegedly driving as fast as 156 mph on Las Vegas streets when he crashed into Tintor, whose car burst into flames. Both Ruggs and his girlfriend, Kiara Je’nai Kilgo-Washington, were injured in the crash, and he was released by the Raiders mere hours after the fatal accident.
If found guilty on all charges, Ruggs could face up to 50 years in prison.
Additional reporting by Tonya Pendleton
TheGrio is now on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!