Authorities accused Davante Adams, the star wide receiver for the Las Vegas Raiders, of misdemeanor assault on Wednesday after he slammed a photographer to the ground on his way out of the stadium following a defeat on Monday, a rare case of criminal charges coming from an on-field altercation.
According to court papers released by the Kansas City police, Adams conducted an “unlawful, overt act” to “deliberately inflict damage” on photographer Ryan Zebley as he walked out of Arrowhead Stadium following the Raiders’ defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Zebley, a freelance photographer for ESPN’s Monday Night Football coverage, experienced whiplash, a headache, and maybe a small concussion.
The video showing Adams shoving Zebley with both hands after the photographer moved in front of him rapidly went viral. Adams swiftly apologized, stating on Twitter that he was “extremely angry” by the loss and “felt bad instantly.”
Misdemeanor assault charges in Missouri can result in a one-year prison sentence and a $2,000 fine, while the NFL is allegedly considering suspending Adams.
A fan who raced onto the field before being hit by Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner last week filed a police report against Wagner and supposedly sustained a concussion. Even if their conduct may be considered assault, there is scant legal precedence for professional players incurring legal ramifications for gameday violence. Marty McSorley of the NHL’s Boston Bruins was charged with assault in 2000 for striking an opponent in the head with his hockey stick, yet he received no prison time, but five Indiana Pacers were jailed in 2004 for fighting with supporters in what was possibly the worst brawl in NBA history.
The Raiders are paying Adams that much over the next five years, making it the richest deal for a wide receiver in NFL history.
Many in the NFL industry chastised the photographer for filing charges over such a minor event, including agent Zac Hiller. He called the situation “absurd” and demanded the NFL to pay Adams’ legal bills.