NFL Player Malik McDowell Accused of Public Exposure Near Kids' Center, Attacking Deputy

The Cleveland Browns' Malik McDowell was recently arrested after allegedly walking naked near a children's center and attacking a police officer in Florida.

According to arrest records from the Broward County Sheriff's Office, McDowell was arrested on Sunday, January 17 and charged with exposing his sex organs in public, resisting an officer-obstruct with violence and aggravated battery on an officer.

The South Florida Sun Sentinel obtained an arrest report of the incident, which said that officers with the Broward County Sheriff's Office first received a report of a naked man walking near a school in Deerfield Beach, Florida.

Broward County Assistant state attorney Eric Linder told a judge in the case that McDowell was allegedly walking naked near a children's learning center, which was in session at the time. The Broward County Sheriff's Office reviewed surveillance video that reportedly showed McDowell walking naked near the children's center, the Sun Sentinel reported.

The arrest report said that when an officer arrived on the scene, he was allegedly attacked by McDowell, in what police called a "violent attack." The responding officer wrote in the arrest report that McDowell allegedly "charged at me ... at full speed with a closed fist."

The responding officer attempted to use "de-escalation tactics," when McDowell charged at him but they were unsuccessful, according to the Sun Sentinel. After the officer was allegedly attacked by McDowell, the Browns' defensive tackle fled from the scene.

The officer was eventually able to use a taser to subdue McDowell and handcuffed him, the report said.

McDowell's attorney said in a statement that "apparently somebody may have slipped him something or given him something he was unaware of, which explains some of his bizarre behavior."

In a statement sent to Newsweek, a spokesperson for the Cleveland Browns said, "We are aware of the very concerning incident and arrest involving Malik McDowell and are in the process of gathering more information."

"We understand the severity of this matter and our thoughts are for the well-being of all involved. We will have no further comment at this time," the statement continued.

This was not the first time McDowell has been arrested, as the most recent incident report said that he was on probation in Michigan. He was arrested in April 2019 on charges of receiving and concealing stolen property.

Newsweek reached out to the Broward County Sheriff's office for further comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.