The NFL has had more than enough problems with arrests this offseason, but another could be added to the tally if San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks is arrested for allegedly assaulting a teammate. According to court documents obtained by the San Jose Mercury News, Brooks struck Niners nose tackle Lamar Divens in the head with a beer bottle and punched him in the face last month.
The two teammates were allegedly arguing about Brooks’ ability to drive at the time of the incident. Divens wanted to press charges at first, but changed his mind five days later.
“He said this would be bad for both of their careers and that he just wanted to keep playing and that they had resolved it,” according to the court documents.
[Related: Video: Ahmad Brooks punches teammate during practice]
However, Divens’ change of heart does not necessarily mean Brooks is off the hook. Prosecutors submitted an application on Thursday seeking to obtain an arrest warrant against Brooks on a felony assault charge with great bodily injury. For whatever reason, the DA’s office intervened on Friday after the judge signed the warrant and put a hold on it.
Brooks was accused of punching a woman in the face when he played for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2008 and accepted mediation on the charges. The 29-year-old was also dismissed from the Virginia football team at the end of the 2005 season because of an unknown incident that occurred off the field. In 2003, he was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
On Wednesday, the Niners released a statement saying they are aware of the situation but will have no further comment until the legal process runs its course. Because of his checkered past, Brooks may wind up getting in trouble without Divens pressing charges.
UPDATE: An arrest warrant has reportedly been issued for Brooks.
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