Last Monday night, the LSU Tigers won their first National Championship since 2007 behind a dominating 42-25 victory over the Clemson Tigers. It would be soon marred in controversy after Odell Beckham Jr. was first spotted handing out money to LSU players after the game, then he took his bad night and made it worse when he slapped the ass of a Superdown security officer in the locker room.
The NFL has been paying attention and released a statement to Pro Football Talk.
“A league spokesman tells PFT regarding whether Beckham faces any scrutiny from the NFL, “We have been monitoring the situation but will decline further comment.”
Since the initial warrant was sent out for his arrest, the security officer has since had a change of mind and withdrawn his complaint.
However, PFT went on to explain how Beckham Jr. might still be held liable for his actions by the league.
“…the absence of criminal charges does not insulate a player from scrutiny under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy. Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott received a six-game suspension despite no arrest or charges, and free-agent receiver Antonio Brown spent most of 2019 on de facto unpaid suspension as the league investigates him for potential punishment, even though he also has not been arrested or charged.
The fact that the person slapped was a member of law enforcement could be a factor, given efforts in recent years by the NFL to foster a positive and productive relationship between police officers and players.
If the NCAA directs LSU to disassociate itself from Beckham, the NFL may feel compelled to act against Beckham in some way, given the league’s constant efforts to keep content the custodians of its free farm system.”
Beckham’s behavior that night can be seen in several different videos on a night where it should’ve been less about him and more about the players who accomplished a great feat.
