Dede Westbrook is getting his first true taste of the spotlight as he was a Heisman Trophy finalist this weekend. At the same time, some details from the Oklahoma wide receiver’s past are emerging, and they show some very concerning events.
According to the Tulsa World’s Cody Stavenhagen, who did a lengthy profile on Westbrook that you should read, Westbrook was arrested twice for domestic violence issues. Both incidents involved the mother of Westbrook’s children in his hometown of Cameron, Texas. The woman eventually got a restraining order against him.
The first arrest occurred in July 2012, not long after police were alerted by a neighbor to Westbrook breaking a window at the woman’s home to see his child. The woman did not press charges. But a month later, the woman went to the police seeking a criminal trespassing warrant after hearing a window break again and Westbrook entering. He allegedly grabbed her by the arms and threw her to the ground.
The second arrest occurred at the woman’s apartment in 2013 after the two had trouble at a park when the woman saw a text Westbrook received from his ex-girlfriend. They apparently had a fight at the apartment and Westbrook was accused of throwing an Xbox and breaking it. He then allegedly grabbed the woman’s wallet and Xbox games and tried to leave with the items. The woman grabbed Westbrook to try stopping him from leaving, and he allegedly bit her arm and punched her in the head.
Police were called to the apartment, and this time the district filed domestic violence charges. The problem is they were unable to locate the witness. Westbrook’s mother talked to the woman and pleaded with her not to do anything because it could ruin her son’s life. The case was dismissed due to a lack of witness cooperation.
The Sooners senior wide receiver twice had issues with police in 2016 in matters involving the mother of his children, according to the Tulsa World’s story.
“There were some disagreements in the past that were cleared up years ago,” Westbrook said in a statement to the Tulsa World. “We have resolved our issues and are focused on the future.”
He also tweeted the following:
Don't believe everything!! Don't be so gullible
— Dede Westbrook (@DedeTHEGreat11) December 12, 2016
Westbrook has 1,464 receiving yards and has scored 17 touchdowns this season. He finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.
