Man accuses NFL star Donald of assault after altercation
An attorney for an out-ofstate man said Wednesday his client was asking Pittsburgh police to press assault charges against former University of Pittsburgh football star Aaron Donald after an alleged altercation between the two last weekend.
The attorney, Todd Hollis, said his client, 26- year- old DeVincent Spriggs, was assaulted by Mr. Donald in the early-morning hours of April 11 after a squabble at a South Side after-hours club.
The incident left Mr. Spriggs with a concussion, 16 stitches in his eyebrow, a broken eye socket and a broken nose, Mr. Hollis said.
Mr. Hollis said Mr. Spriggs accidentally bumped into Mr. Donald while they were inside a club called the Boom Boom Room, leading to an argument between the two. They were then asked to leave the location. (There does not appear to be an official business in Pittsburgh listed under the name Boom Boom Room.)
While outside, Mr. Donald confronted Mr. Spriggs and began punching him, Mr. Hollis said.
“Regardless of what may have happened in the nightclub, it doesn’t justify this,” Mr. Hollis said.
Mr. Hollis said no weapons were used in the alleged altercation.
Attempts by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette seeking comment from Mr. Donald and his agent were not successful.
Mr. Spriggs is not from Pennsylvania, his attorney said, although he declined to say exactly where his client is from. Mr. Spriggs did not comment as he entered the Zone 3 police station in Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood.
Responding to inquiries about the incident, Pittsburgh police released a statement that said they were dispatched to UPMC Mercy Hospital just
before 1 p.m. on April 11 for a man who wished to report an assault.
Neither Mr. Spriggs nor Mr. Donald are named in the statement, as Pittsburgh police do not name alleged victims or people who are accused unless charges are filed.
“The male told police it happened in a bar somewhere on the South Side,” police spokeswoman Cara Cruz wrote in the statement. “He did not know the exact location or time of day it occurred. He told police he accidentally bumped into another male at the bar who confronted him verbally.
“He says that male and another ended up punching and kicking him. The complainant admits to throwing a bottle of alcohol, but didn’t know if he had hit anyone.”
Police said the man told them the alleged assault apparently happened in the 1700 block of East Carson Street.
Detectives are reviewing the complaint and speaking with the Allegheny County district attorney’s office to determine whether charges will be filed, Ms. Cruz wrote.
Mr. Donald, 29, is a native of the Pittsburgh area and plays defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams. He was raised in Pittsburgh’s Lincoln-Lemington neighborhood and graduated from Penn Hills High School before attending Pitt.
The Rams released a statement saying they are aware of the reports regarding Mr. Donald.
“We are collecting more information and will have no further comment at this time,” the Rams statement said.
Mr. Donald has cemented himself as one of
the best players in the NFL. Many would argue he’s the best in the game, as evidenced by winning the league’s Defensive Player of the Year Award three of the last four years. Last season, he edged Steelers star T.J. Watt for the honor.
The 6-foot-1-inch, 285pound Donald also was one of the most decorated players in Pitt history, winning ACC Defensive Player of the Year as a senior en route to being named a unanimous All-American. He was a productive but overlooked recruit coming out of Penn Hills High School.
Still undersized for his position in the NFL, Mr. Donald is renowned for his maniacalwork ethic in addition to his uncommon athleticism on the defensive line. Mr. Donald was the 13th overall pick in the 2014 draft and has made the Pro Bowl each of his seven seasons.