New Eagles defensive end Michael Bennett was indicted on the felony charge of injury to the elderly, but the player’s lawyer says the true story will soon be heard.
“There was no fighting, there was no pushing,” Rusty Hardin told Zack Rosenblatt of NJ.com. “The entire thing is ludicrous. That’s what I think we’ll find when it’s all over.”
The charge is punishable by up to ten years in prison and/or a $10K fine, and Bennett turned himself in to authorities in late March. The 32-year-old is accused of injuring an elderly paraplegic woman who was working at Super Bowl LI in 2017. Despite the allegations, Bennett and Hardin aren’t worried about the potential consequences.
“He knows he didn’t do this,” Hardin said. “He’s assuming the system will ultimately conclude that once they get all the information. But it’s obviously a very embarrassing and humiliating thing to go through, walking out of a court room with a bunch of TV cameras and in handcuffs, particularly for something you didn’t even do.”
Let’s take a look at some more notes from around the NFL…
- The Saints signed Bears restricted free agent wide receiver Cameron Meredith to an offer sheet yesterday, and Nick Underhill of The Advocate wonders (via Twitter) if Chicago will ultimately match the offer. New Orleans offered a two-year deal worth $9.6MM, meaning the Bears would be comitting close to $30MM to receivers in 2018. On the flip side, Underhill opines that the Bears could be okay with spending that kind of money at the position, and they could just let someone like Kevin White sign elsewhere next offseason.
- The Giants have set up a top-30 visit with running back Rashaad Penny, reports Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com (via Twitter). The San Diego State product is currently listed 47th on NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah’s listing of the top-50 prospects. Penny compiled 2,248 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns during his senior season.
- ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss could see the Patriots going in a variety of different directions with their first-round picks. The reporter points to linebacker, left tackle, quarterback, running back and/or tight end as potential targets for New England. When asked about the prospects of adding tight ends Dallas Goedert or Hayden Hurst, Reiss notes that the organization hasn’t shied away from previously spending a first-rounder on the position.
Everyone else’s fault of course when it comes to Bennett. Feel sooo bad for him, always such a victim….
He didn’t do it? I’m so shocked to hear that…..
Why is an elderly paraplegic person doing security at Super Bowl anyways? As for Bennett we don’t know the whole story.
Exactly. Not saying he hasn’t had a checkered past, but why would someone in that type of situation be allowed to work security at the Super Bowl. Not to mention, this whole situation happened 2 Super Bowl’s ago (14 months), so why barely bringing it up to charge him now? Something seems fishy.
Checkered past? Are you aware of a criminal record the some of us don’t know about?
the person working at the Superbowl has no bearing on the act. she could have been working the checkout at 7-11. injuring a person is injuring a person.
It may actually be Bennett, who winds up working the checkout at 7-11.
Funny:)
The whole idea of providing security is being physically able to secure an area. An elderly woman is one thing but a paraplegic takes this to a whole other level. That said, Bennett is bad news and would prefer to not have his type on the team I root for.
The story is bogus none of it makes any sense to smart people… I dislike the Bennett brothers, but none of this makes any sense to pass judgment on…
Why are people shocked that an elderly paraplegic is doing security at a sporting event? I have to believe it is a far more interesting job than being a Walmart greeter. Security in this context basically means providing information and directions to fans. You don’t have to be Chuck Norris or understand rocket science to operate a walkie-talkie.
Precisely. “Working security” is not the same job description as “being a bouncer”. I’ve done both, neither is complicated, but in this context working security does not automatically mean the there are certain physical requirements. And in any case it’s not very relevant whether or not she should have been working in that position.
Agreed. Working security is almost always a coordinated team effort and it generally is most effective when people at an event aren’t even aware of a physical presence of security staff.
Walmart they’re greeters not security…..
Why did the cop who witnessed the incident not do anything as it happened?
He claimed he stopped to render aid to the victim as that was more important than pursuing the culprit.
I’m going to help you we’ll get him next year!!……
No use in speculating until the facts from both sides have been presented. Like a recent episode of Chicago PD, accusing a guy of x crime, then mob mentality takes it way out of control, guy ends up being innocent. But still gets threats and attempts on his family’s safety.
Looks like that guy caught a break in Chicago. If he had been in Mayberry, Sheriff Taylor would have had him sharing a cell with Otis and a loaded goat.
Oh, boo hoo for the precious snowflake athlete.
“The reporter points to linebacker, left tackle, quarterback, running back and/or tight end as targets for New England”.
So basically that means the Pats will take a DE and S with there first round picks.
Unless they want to prove they can be smart like Tampa Bay….in which case they use both picks on kickers.
How long does Chicago have to decide on Meredith?
I believe 5 days?