BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) - Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee will avoid jail time after pleading guilty to assault for a fight outside a bar in Kentucky last year.
The Daily News reports the former Western Kentucky University standout pleaded guilty on Friday to assault under extreme emotional disturbance. Warren Circuit Judge Steve Wilson ordered Higbee to pay the victim an undisclosed amount and perform 250 hours of community service. Higbee also can’t own or possess a gun.
Higbee told police he and his girlfriend had been to a bar in April 2016 when he got into an argument with Nawaf Alsaleh.
Higbee and his girlfriend left the bar and went to a nearby parking lot to buy from a food truck. Police say Alsaleh approached Higbee again, and Higbee punched him.
Witnesses told police two men were arguing with Alsaleh and one was yelling racial slurs at him. Brian Lowder, Higbee’s attorney, told the newspaper Higbee did not use a racial slur.
“The person who made the comments has acknowledged responsibility for having said the things he said,” Lowder said. “The main thing we want to convey is Mr. Higbee as well as the victim are happy to put this behind them both. Mr. Higbee wishes him continued good health, and we believe it’s a fair outcome given the circumstances.”
Lowder said Alsaleh is now living in Saudi Arabia.
The Los Angeles Rams drafted Higbee in the fourth round a few weeks after his arrest. He played 16 games last season, tallying 11 receptions and one touchdown.
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