Browns’ Bess charged in Fla. with officer assault

MIAMI (AP) - Cleveland Browns and former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Davone Bess was arrested Friday on charges of assaulting a law enforcement officer at an airport, the latest in a series of personal problems for the NFL player.

According to a Broward Sheriff’s Office arrest report, Bess was approached by Deputy Thomas O’Brien inside the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport terminal because he was “acting irrationally, dancing, singing with his pants repeatedly falling down.”

“I inquired if he was all right and received no response,” O’Brien said in the report, adding later that Bess “appeared to be looking through me” while they talked.

Bess, 28, then picked up a cup of hot coffee from a counter and squeezed it, “which caused the cup to break with the liquid going all over my uniform,” the deputy wrote. Bess then took up a “fighting stance,” and O’Brien said he hit the player on the leg with a baton to no effect.

“Bess proceeded to take off his shirt and once again took up a fighting stance refusing my repeated orders to get on the ground,” O’Brien said, adding that Bess was finally taken into custody when backup officers arrived.

Sheriff’s office records show that Bess is charged with simple assault on an officer, resisting arrest without violence and disorderly conduct. It was not immediately clear whether Bess had a lawyer. Browns spokesman Zak Gilbert said the team was aware of the arrest and was gathering information.

Bess was released Friday morning on $100 bail. The three charges are all misdemeanors. He did not comment about the substance of the charges to waiting television news crews.

The Miami Herald reported Friday night that police were summoned to Bess’ home in Florida last year before he was traded to the Browns. According to a report uncovered by the newspaper, six officers were needed to restrain Bess and his family reportedly had him hospitalized against his will.

The Browns signed Bess last year to a three-year, $11.5 million contract after acquiring him on draft day in April from the Dolphins. This season Bess had career lows with 42 catches for 362 yards.

The arrest comes one day after Bess posted a photo on his Twitter page of a small package containing what appears to be marijuana. The photo was later deleted. Last month, a photo posted on Bess’ Instagram account showed him lighting a cigar or marijuana joint next to a photo of late reggae star Bob Marley, a Rastafarian flag around his shoulders.

On Dec. 19, the Browns placed Bess on the reserve/non-football illness list for what were described as personal reasons. He missed the final two games of the season.

Bess spent five seasons with the Dolphins. His best year was in 2010, when he caught 79 passes for 820 yards and five touchdowns. The Oakland, Calif. native starred at the University of Hawaii before joining the Dolphins in 2008 as an undrafted free agent.

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AP Sports Writer Tom Withers in Cleveland contributed to this story.

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