Las Vegas Raiders wideout Davante Adams was charged with misdemeanor assault after pushing a credentialed photographer to the ground at the end of Monday night’s game in Kansas City.
The charge was filed in Kansas City Municipal Court on Wednesday morning.
The man who was pushed, identified as Ryan Zebley, filed a report with the Kansas City Police Department and went to the hospital for treatment. Kansas City police called it an “intentional, overt act” that caused whiplash, a headache and a possible minor concussion.
Video shows Adams heading for the tunnel at the end of the Raiders’ 30-29 loss to the Chiefs when he encountered a man carrying photography equipment. Adams pushed the man forcefully. The photographer fell backward onto the ground.
Adams, 29, is facing a fine or possible suspension from the league, per reports. He apologized twice — talking to reporters afterward and later on social media.
“Sorry to the guy I pushed after the game,” Adams posted to Twitter. “Obviously very frustrated at the way the game ended and when he ran infront (sic) of me as I exited that was my reaction and I felt horrible immediately.”
Sorry to the guy I pushed over after the game. Obviously very frustrated at the way the game ended and when he ran infront of me as I exited that was my reaction and I felt horrible immediately. Thats not me..MY APOLOGIES man hope you see this.
— Davante Adams (@tae15adams) October 11, 2022
Asked on Tuesday about the incident, Raiders coach Josh McDaniels said, “I support Davante wholeheartedly as a human being. As a person, he’s a great guy. I know that was an unfortunate situation. We obviously don’t want any of our guys to be doing anything like that. He knows that. He’s very well aware of that. But I know the person. I don’t think there was any intent behind it on his part.
“But whatever (the NFL) asks of us, whatever they need from us, obviously we’ll comply. But we’re kind of in a wait-and-see (situation in terms of discipline) at this point.”
The Raiders had one final shot on fourth-and-1 with 46 seconds left but quarterback Derek Carr’s pass fell incomplete when Adams and fellow wide receiver Hunter Renfrow collided while running their patterns. Adams seemed to have a catch on the play before, but it was overruled by the replay official.
According to the police report, the photographer “was pushed to the ground causing injury. He made arrangements for private transport to the hospital for treatment at which time he called police.”
Adams had touchdown catches of 58 and 48 yards Monday night, finishing with three receptions for 124 yards.
The Raiders fell to 1-4 with the loss.
–Field Level Media
