Lonnie Phelps, a 23-year-old defensive lineman for the Cleveland Browns, found himself in legal trouble following an incident on Wednesday evening in Florida.
Phelps was arrested under suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) after he allegedly crashed his SUV into a local dining establishment, the Red Shoe Island Bistro in Key West.
The incident, which has garnered significant attention, was first reported by TMZ Sports.
According to the details provided in the Key West Police Department’s incident report, which TMZ obtained, the crash occurred at approximately 8:47 PM. Following the collision, Phelps reportedly exhibited uncooperative behavior during the police investigation.
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The police report describes a troubling scene in which Phelps appeared disoriented and distressed. An officer noted in the report that Phelps expressed acute thirst and displayed confusion about the situation.
He voiced concerns about potential harm from the officers, reflecting a high level of anxiety and distrust: “Phelps talked about how thirsty he was,” the officer recorded, “how he did not know what I was going to do to him because females are the worst, asked me not to kill him, asked me how long it takes to bail out, how long I was the detective and informed me I was Russian.”
Phelps, who began his professional career with the Browns in 2023 after playing college football at Miami and Kansas, now faces serious questions about his future in the NFL and his personal conduct off the field.
The incident not only poses legal challenges for Phelps but also potentially impacts his standing with the Cleveland Browns, as the team is likely to scrutinize his actions and their implications closely.