Ex-Gators star Fowler arrested after dispute
Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler was arrested Tuesday in his hometown of St. Petersburg on a misdemeanor charge of simple battery and mischief.
Fowler, 22, was arrested at 8:27 p.m. and released on $650 bond more than five hours later.
According to the police report and statement, Fowler was driving in an apartment complex at approximately 6:20 p.m. when a man walking “made a comment about Fowler’s driving.”
Fowler’s off-the-field activity since being drafted by the Jaguars in April 2015 came to light on Wednesday, including a March 2016 arrest in Miami Beach.
Additionally, Fowler’s driving record includes traveling 98 mph in a 55-mph zone along Jacksonville’s Butler Boulevard about 1 a.m. in July 2016 and driving 99 mph in a 70-mph zone in Alachua County in March 2016.
None of Fowler’s incidents involve drugs, alcohol or domestic violence, which would subject him to an NFL suspension.
But the two arrests and his driving issues could force the league office to act.
On Tuesday, Fowler stopped and exited his car and exchanged words with the man before, the police report said, Fowler “was observed punching the victim by an independent witness.”
The victim’s prescription glasses fell to the ground and Fowler was “alleged to have stomped on the glasses.” The damage to the glasses was estimated at $200.
Fowler then took the man’s grocery bag “with recently purchased liquor” and threw it in a nearby lake.
Fowler was arrested without incident and the police report said he did not appear to be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
The victim did not claim any injuries.
The Jaguars released a statement saying they are “aware of the situation and are currently gathering more information. The team has been in communication with Dante. No further comment will be made at this time.”
Fowler and the rest of the Jaguars veterans are scheduled to report to training camp July 26.
The draft’s third overall pick in 2015, Fowler missed his rookie season with a torn ACL and had four sacks last year playing a back-up role to Yannick Ngakoue.