Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Malik McDowell was arrested on Monday for aggravated assault on a police officer and public exposure in Deerfield Beach, Florida, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office online records.
McDowell is accused of a “violent attack” on a police officer which left the deputy “dazed,” according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel. He reportedly was found walking naked near a school and attacked the officer when approached. The officer said McDowell “charged at me … at full speed with closed fist,” injuring the police officer in the process.
“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,” the Browns said in a statement issued on Tuesday.
McDowell’s attorney suggested that the football player might have been given something which altered his behavior.
“Apparently somebody may have slipped him something or given him something he was unaware of, which explains some of his bizarre behavior,” McDowell’s defense attorney said.
TMZ provided video of the arrest, where McDowell can be seen fully naked with his hands handcuffed behind his back.
According to the Sun Sentinel, this is the fourth arrest for McDowell. He was arrested in September 2017 for a DUI, and once again in December 2017 for disorderly conduct. He was also arrested in February 2019 for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, assault and resisting arrest, and was suspended for two games by the NFL. According to the New York Post, McDowell spent 66 days in jail for the crime.
He played college football at Michigan State and was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He was released by Seattle in March 2019, and spent the 2021 season with the Browns, appearing in 15 games and recording 33 tackles and 3.0 sacks while recovering one fumble.
McDowell’s opportunity with the Browns was seen as a second chance in the NFL.
“For me, my career is at stake,” McDowell said in August according to Cleveland.com. “My livelihood, taking care of my family, just to do what the every day person can’t do, go out there in front of thousands of fans and play a game and get paid lost of money to do it. That’s a lot of people’s dreams and I get to live my dream.”
“I know what my life could be without football and the stuff I fell into without playing football,” he said prior to the season, “and I just wanted to get some more structure back in my life, I didn’t have enough structure in my life around that time. So my driving force really is just where I was at. I’m in the best place I can be right now, so that’s really my driving force.”
This article has been expanded after publication to include additional information.
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Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers, and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to [email protected].