Report: NFL And Las Vegas Police Let Alvin Kamara Play In Pro-Bowl Despite Being Suspect in Assault
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Prior to the Pro Bowl, the NFL was notified that Alvin Kamara was a suspect in a felony battery case by Las Vegas Metro PD, but cops and the league permitted the Saints star to participate anyway, according to law enforcement sources, TMZ Sports reported.
TMZ Sports also reported that several hours before kickoff, NFL security was told that police were seeking the Saints running back, but the parties essentially agreed that Kamara would be allowed to play in the game and would cooperate with authorities afterward.
“At around 10 a.m., we contacted NFL security and informed them that [Kamara] was a suspect in the case, and they located him and he was already on the field,” Assistant Sheriff John McGrath told the Nevada Current.
“As a result, they called him, and he agreed to meet with us following the game. So, since he was cooperative, that’s how we went about it,” McGrath said.
According to Kamara, he was waiting for the elevator with his girlfriend, his assistant and some friends, when the victim allegedly called one of his friends “ugly.”
Kamara said he saw the victim get punched and then he threw some punches because he thought the victim was running away and had done something to his group. Police say that the video disputes Kamara’s account and that the victim was not running away.
Instead, the video allegedly showed Kamara putting his hand on the victim’s chest, the victim allegedly pushed it off and then Kamara pushed him. The victim was then punched by Kamara’s associate and then Kamara “immediately attacked” the victim, throwing several more punches, around eight, according to police.
Others in the group allegedly joined the attack, stomping the victim’s face and body. Kamara allegedly punched the victim several times while he was on the ground as well. More on the incident here.
The victim, Darnell Greene, was later diagnosed with an orbital fracture which may require surgery.
Kamara was arrested for alleged battery resulting in substantial bodily harm, which is a felony. The incident, which happened at Drai’s Nightclub at The Cromwell on the Las Vegas Strip, occurred on Saturday at 5:50pm.
At this point in the process, it’s unknown what, if any, penalty or suspension the NFL will impose on him.
On Sunday, Kamara posted $5,000 bail to be released from detention, and his initial court appearance on Monday afternoon has been rescheduled until March 8.
Kamara had 898 yards and four touchdowns in the 2021 season for the Saints, while missing some games with his knee injury. In what was an injury filled season for the Saints, the head coachless team now has to decide on Kamara’s future with the team.
Kamara is going into year 3 of a 5 year, $75,000,000 contract with the New Orleans Saints. The contract includes a $15,000,000 signing bonus, $33,833,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $15,000,000, according to Spotrac.
The former Tennessee Volunteer is due a 2022 Roster Bonus of $6,000,000, which was fully guaranteed on March 19th, 2020, and is due March 20th, 2022.
If the Saints were to cut him in the coming weeks/months, it would cost them $20,000,000 in dead cap. The Saints have a potential out in 2024 that would only cost them $3,000,000 in dead cap if they were to cut him.
This situation is very clearly still developing. While the police continue to sort through the investigation, there is clearly a big spotlight on the NFL and police as well, as to why Kamara was allowed to play in the game. Although the officer answered questions regarding the scenario, expect more questions to be asked regarding why Kamara was allowed to play in the game.
More on what the NFL may do with Kamara
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