Running back Cedric Benson was released from jail yesterday following an arrest on an assault charge in Austin, Texas, the second year in a row he has gotten into trouble in his home state.
Benson, a free agent after leading the Bengals in rushing each of the last three seasons, hoped to stay with the team and worked out with players in Cincinnati during the NFL’s lockout. Travis County sheriff’s spokesman Roger Wade said Benson was arrested in downtown Austin on a misdemeanor count of assault with bodily injury with family violence.
Benson’s attorney Sam Bassett said in a statement that the arrest followed “a conflict’’ between Benson and a male former roommate. Bassett said: ‘The alleged male victim no longer is Mr Benson’s household member and was not a household member for the past few days.’
A conviction for assault with family violence would mean a stiffer sentence than for simple assault.Asked about Benson’s arrest and the player’s future, Jack Brennan, a spokesman for the Cincinatti Bengals, said: ‘In cases like this, we don’t feel it’s appropriate to comment before there’s some kind of legal resolution.’
Last summer, Benson was charged with misdemeanour assault after allegedly punching a bar employee during a brawl, also in Austin.
He has denied the charge, and it is still waiting to be heard.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met with the player after last year’s arrest, but decided not to punish him.
Now Benson could face a suspension for his latest arrest once a collective bargaining agreement has been reached between teams and players, clouding his future with the league.
The Daily Mail contributed to this report.
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