The NFL Network has suspended former New England Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest, a spokesperson for the network confirms. The move comes after the 3 time Super Bowl winner was arrested on a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon. CCTV footage has also surfaced detailing the events that unfolded in the West Hollywood nightclub, Delilah.
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In the video, McGinest is seen sifting in between the tables, then stopping and bending at one of the tables, talking to a man. As the man prepares to get up, McGinest smacks him in the head, knocking him off his footing. Then, almost as if on cue, more men swarm in and land blow after blow on the victim, as McGinest keeps him pinned down.
At one point in time in the video, McGinest is seen picking up a wine bottle and smashing it on the victim’s head repeatedly. After a few minutes of total chaos, the assailants walk out of the shot. It is unclear whether police apprehended the rest of the suspects, but reportedly McGinest turned himself in on Monday. He was released on Tuesday, after posting a $30,000 bail.
Former Patriots star Willie McGinest suspended from the NFL Network
Willie McGinest was a first-round pick for the New England Patriots in the 1994 NFL draft and played with them for 13 years. He spent another 2 years with the Cleveland Browns, before retiring and joining the NFL Network as an analyst. The 2015 Patriots Hall of Fame inductee holds the record for the most off-season sacks for the team (16), with a career total of 86.
According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, a spokesperson for the NFL Network confirmed that McGinest will not be appearing on air for as long as the investigations are ongoing. “We are aware of the incident and the video, which is disturbing. Willie McGinest will not appear on NFL Network while we review the matter”, says the spokesperson.
This is not the first time McGinest is in legal trouble. In 1990, a 23-year-old woman accused him and 2 teammates of sexually assaulting her. The police charged them with battery and false imprisonment, all of which they denied. The trial ended with them being acquitted of all charges.
Then, once again, in 2016. This time, a man named DeAndre Parks filed a Personal Injury lawsuit against him. He claimed McGinest assaulted and threatened him on several occasions. McGinest denied the charges, and the case is still ongoing.
The video comes across as a piece of clear-cut evidence against McGinest. Still, the NFL Community will still be looking to the justice system to deliver their verdict. Before reaching on one themselves. McGinest took to Instagram to post a cryptic message after his arrest. On it, he says, “Things aren’t always how they seem at first glance. The truth will prevail.” What truth will help him come out of what seems to be an open and shut case? We wait and see.
