NFL Mistaken Identity Results In Incorrect DPD Arrest Tweet
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Dallas police are dealing with an embarrassing social media blunder after a police spokesperson tweeted information about the arrest of Denver Broncos player Aqib Talib at a downtown nightclub. But, as it turns out, the man arrested was Talib's brother, Yaqub.
According to Dallas police, the trouble just before 2 a.m. at Club Synn, when a number of people attending a party got into an altercation. The club's owner said the disturbance involved a number of NFL players.
According to witnesses, Yaqub Talib was intoxicated, threw bottles and had gotten into physical confrontations.
While the incident started inside the club problems moved outside after several people were ejected and police were called.
Officers responding to the scene said Yaqub Talib was the primary instigator in the disturbance. When questioned he reportedly told officers that he played ball in the NFL. Other individuals in the crowd also told police he played for the Denver Broncos.
Even though officers had told everyone outside to leave, police say Yaqub Talib continued acting aggressively and officers felt he was threat to himself and others.
The 31-year-old arrested for public intoxication and produced a Texas driver's license as identification.
When DPD supervisors relayed that an NFL player from the Denver Broncos had been arrested communications supervisor Major Max Geron did not understand the spelling of the name. According to a DPD statement, Geron googled the Broncos' roster and another supervisor confirmed the correct spelling of Broncos player as Aqib Talib from that roster and notified command staff.
Major Geron subsequently tweeted that Aqib Talib had bee arrested. Soon after, a correction was posted explaining that it was Aqib's older brother, Yaqub, who'd been arrested. Major Geron apologized and the incorrect tweet was removed.
Police said the initial tweet was sent "not keeping with normal protocol."
The DPD statement said, in part, "We regret that this incorrect information was sent and extend our apologies to Mr. Aqib Talib."
Denver Broncos spokesperson Patrick Smyth also took to the twittersphere. His posting said, "With social media, accuracy often gets sacrificed for timeliness!"
