Simple battery warrant for Beckham rescinded

NEW ORLEANS — A misdemeanor simple battery warrant for Cleveland Browns wide receiver and former LSU star Odell Beckham Jr. has been rescinded, the New Orleans Police Department confirmed Saturday.

The warrant was issued Thursday as video posted on social media appeared to show Beckham swatting a security officer’s buttocks during LSU’s locker room victory celebration after Monday night’s college national championship game in the Superdome.

LSU players were seen smoking cigars — forbidden in the Superdome — in pictures from the postgame celebration. Authorities reportedly warned them they could face arrest.

In a 27-second video available on Twitter, a security officer is seen standing over an LSU player sitting on a locker room bench. The officer appears to be searching around the bench and pointing to the floor. He can be heard talking about a “burn mark” just before Beckham approaches him from behind and appears to swat his backside.

Beckham has also come under scrutiny over his apparent cash payments to Tigers players on the field after the game.

LSU athletics spokesman Michael Bonnette said last week that initial information suggested that Beckham handed out “novelty bills” to players, but further investigation showed that Beckham may have given away real money, Bonnette said.’

The NCAA does not allow players to receive cash benefits while playing college football.