Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler is facing battery and mischief charges after police say he hit a man and threw his liquor into a lake in St. Petersburg.
Fowler, a former Gators star who was the Jaguars' first-round pick in 2015, was arrested Tuesday at 9 p.m. in his hometown of St. Petersburg.
Simple battery and mischief misdemeanor charges for Dante Fowler Junior last night. Arrested in St. Petersburg - his hometown. #ASJax
— Brent Martineau (@BrentASJax) July 19, 2017
St. Petersburg police said Fowler was driving near the Trellis at the Lakes apartment complex on Fourth Street when a man walking down the street made a comment about Fowler's driving.
Police said Fowler got out of his car and exchanged words with the man.
He hit the man, knocked off his glasses and stepped on them, and then threw a grocery bag of liquor that the man had just bought in a lake, police said.
The man was not injured.
Fowler was arrested on misdemeanor simple battery and mischief charges.
The 22-year-old was released from jail at 1:43 a.m. Wednesday.
The Jaguars released a statement:
The Jaguars are aware of the situation involving defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. and are currently gathering more information. The team has been in communication with Dante. No further comment will be made at this time."
Some people called for Fowler's release while others pointed out the charges were misdemeanors.
Glad it wasn't anything very serious, but sounds like he's got anger issues. He's 22, needs to nip this in the bud.
— @Father of Cats (@MatGrano) July 19, 2017
BREAKING: The heralded defensive end reportedly confronted a man who criticized his driving:
Posted by Action News Jax on Wednesday, July 19, 2017
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