Broncos Wide Receiver Backs Green's Version Of Altercation
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF & AP) -- Denver Broncos and former Michigan State wide receiver Benny Fowler says he was with Draymond Green the night of his altercation with a former Michigan State defensive back and claims no punches were thrown.
ESPN's Marc Spears, who maintains a player blog with Green, sent out a tweet late Wednesday quoting Fowler.
"On Saturday night, Draymond and I were eating in East Lansing. At no point, ever, did Draymond punch anyone," Fowler told Spears. "The claims against him are beyond false and I look forward to the truth coming."
Jermaine Edmondson claims he was punched by Green early Sunday outside a restaurant in East Lansing, though officers patrolling the area said they saw or heard a loud, open-handed "slap."
Edmondson said it was his second confrontation with Green, a former Michigan State player, in two nights. He told police that he and his girlfriend were choked Friday night by men who were with Green at Rick's, a bar near campus.
He said he spotted Green the next night and tried to talk to him, according to the police report released to The Associated Press.
"I walk over and I tell Draymond that last night wasn't cool," Edmondson, who is from Canton, Ohio, said in an email to police. "As he responded to me he began to poke me on my shoulder and I tell him that he doesn't need to put his hands on me, we can just talk. As I started to talk again, boom, I'm punched in my jaw."
He said he had a headache and pain in his neck and jaw.
Green was arrested and taken to the East Lansing jail where he had a blood-alcohol level of 0.10, police said. He was released when sober.
The Golden State Warriors star said "he was sorry for slapping the subject and wanted to speak with him to make things right," Officer Jeff Horn wrote.
On Wednesday night, Michigan State said in a release that Edmondson was given his release and has decided to play his final college season elsewhere. The announcement from the athletic department included no mention of the alleged altercation between Edmondson and Green.
"In discussions with Jermaine Edmondson following spring practice and in the weeks thereafter, it became clear that Jermaine wanted to play a larger role on the team," coach Mark Dantonio said in a statement. "After consulting with him in the summer, he felt it was in his best interest to finish his playing career elsewhere."
Edmondson had 24 tackles last season. He was listed as a third stringer on Michigan State's spring depth chart.
If convicted of misdemeanor assault and battery, Green could face 93 days in jail, a $500 fine or both.
"My legal team is handling it. It will be resolved really quickly," Green said Tuesday in Aspen, Colorado. "As a public figure, I just can't put myself in certain situations. It's something that I'll learn from and move on."
TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
