Sports writer Ben Bowdon discusses the recent criminal charge against running back Alvin Kamara.
Yet again, another star NFL Player is in the news for problems off the field. On Sunday evening, the day of the Pro Bowl, New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara was arrested and charged with battery resulting in substantial bodily harm.
Alvin Kamara was picked in the third round of the 2017 draft by the New Orleans Saints from the University of Tennessee. Since his matriculation into the league, Kamara has averaged a massive 1500 yards per season on the ground and in the air with 67 touchdowns total. He has been elected to the Pro Bowl each season and was awarded Offensive Rookie of the Year. Along with Drew Brees and Michael Thomas, he has led the Saints to a record of 58-23 during his time in the NFL. He is, with no doubt, an amazing athlete and star player.
Unfortunately, this time he is not on the headlines for an incredible athletic performance. At 6:30 a.m. the Saturday prior to the Pro Bowl, Alvin Kamara allegedly punched a man eight times at The Cromwell Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Darnell Greene, the alleged victim, attempted to step into an elevator with Kamara and then the scuffle ensued. Greene sustained an orbital bone fracture to his right eye which may require surgery. The police talked to him while he was in the hospital being treated for injuries and he directed them towards Alvin Kamara. After a surveillance video corroborated the victim’s statement and a credit card purchase pinned Kamara at the scene, an arrest report was created against him. He was arrested after the Pro Bowl and posted $5,000 bail. The hearing is scheduled for March 8.
Alvin Kamara’s attorney released a statement on Thursday, Feb. 10, stating, “Alvin Kamara has gained a well-deserved reputation for being a hard-working and a community-minded individual. The recent Las Vegas allegations are not consistent with who Mr. Kamara has shown himself to be in both his public and private life. Therefore, we are conducting our own investigation into all of the circumstances and individuals associated with the matter to determine both the facts and motivations of all involved.” This seems like a feeble rebuttal by Alvin’s legal defense. There is clear video evidence of Kamara punching the man repeatedly. No matter how the criminal case goes, Greene will probably seek recourse in civil court as well.
In a private attempt to serve justice, the NFL will most likely suspend Kamara for at least six games. This news does not bode well for the New Orleans Saints, who had its worst offense when Kamara was on injured reserve last year.
Some people have criticized the NFL’s response to situations like these. There seems to have been so many large profile criminal cases in the NFL – Aaron Hernandez, Ray Lewis, Ray Rice, Michael Vick, Kareem Hunt and now Alvin Kamara. Why does it seem to happen every year? Do NFL players commit more violent crimes than average or is it simply the availability heuristic — that because it’s in the news we think it’s more common than it is? In 2014, USA Today ran an analytical study to determine the relative rates of crime for NFL players versus U.S. men aged 21-34. They found that NFL players are disproportionately arrested and charged with domestic violence but have a lower arrest rate overall.
The NFL will continue to try to dissuade this behavior, but petty fines and small suspensions do not seem to be a deterrent.
