Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)

DE Bennett indicted for 2017 incident

- By Bob Grotz bgrotz@21st-centurymed­ia.com @BobGrotz on Twitter

Michael Bennett’s past is catching up to him.

The newly acquired Eagles defensive end was indicted Friday by a grand jury in Harris County, Texas, according to a report in the Houston Chronicle, on a felony charge of injuring an elderly person at Super Bowl LI.

The act allegedly occurred during the post-game celebratio­n of the New England Patriots, who defeated the Atlanta Falcons in Houston in February 2017 .

Bennett reportedly injured a 66-year-old quadripleg­ic woman on the NRG Stadium security team while pushing his way through a crowd to be with his brother, then Patriots tight end Martellus Bennett. The report said Bennett ignored orders to use a different entrance for field access and pushed the woman.

The Eagles tried to throw cold water on the matter with a vague statement.

“We are aware of the situation involving Michael Bennett and are in the process of gathering more informatio­n,” the statement read. “Because this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.”

Intentiona­lly and knowingly causing bodily injury to a person 65 years or older carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The Eagles acquired Bennett and a seventh-round draft pick from the Seahawks for wide receiver Marcus Johnson and a fifth-round selection, well aware of the veteran’s off-the-field past.

Bennett, after the Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor fight in 2017, accused Las Vegas police of using excessive force after they detained him when shots were fired. Bennett said police pointed their guns at him for “nothing more than being a black man in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Police denied the accusation­s and released video they said proves there was no wrongdoing. The Las Vegas police union demanded that the NFL investigat­e Bennett. The league dismissed the request.

Bennett, 32, has 54 sacks in nine NFL seasons, including 8½ last year with the Seahawks.

The Seahawks have been moving on from aging veterans, getting rid of Bennett and releasing cornerback Richard Sherman, also outspoken.

The Eagles are counting on Bennett to rush the passer inside at tackle and outside at end. They also appreciate his run-stopping ability.

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