Odell Beckham Jr. won't face charges after assault probe
While Odell Beckham Jr tries to establish a new career with the Ravens, prosecutors back in California cleared up a legal issue that could’ve haunted the receiver headed into the season.
TMZ reported that prosecutors in LA declined to pursue assault charges against OBJ after a woman accused him of assaulting her at a West Hollywood night club. The incident in question allegedly happened last month, with news breaking in the days after Odell Beckham signed with Baltimore.
The woman said that OBJ grabbed her by the throat using “light pressure.” The two were both at the nightclub, Delilah. The woman, who never was identified, contacted police several days later to file a report.
However, after talking to witnesses and scrutinizing surveillance video, there was no evidence that an assault occurred. In fact, prosecutors told TMZ that surveillance video from the club “contradicts the complaining witness’ account of events.”
Prosecutors added “the video does not capture any battery.” Police said no other witnesses could corroborate what the woman said. One of those witnesses was a friend of the woman’s. She said she was standing with the woman and Odell Beckham and didn’t see anything.
John Terzian, the club’s owner, said: “We were contacted about an investigation and reviewed the videos, the claim is false. There is no evidence of this person even being in the area where she claims the incident occurred.”
Odell Beckham was out of football for all of 2022 as he recovered from a torn ACL, his second in three seasons. He suffered the second ACL tear playing for the Rams against the Bengals in the Super Bowl following the 2021 season.
The Ravens picked up Beckham days before the team finally signed Lamar Jackson to a new five-year contract worth $260 million, with $185 million guaranteed. And besides making Jackson the highest paid player in the NFL, Baltimore also upgraded the depth chart at receiver. The Ravens drafted Zay Flowers in the first round. Of course, they also added Nelson Agholor, the former Patriot and a first-round draft pick from 2015.
Odell Beckham can now turn his attentions towards learning a new offense. The Ravens hired offensive coordinator Todd Monken this off season.
Jackson missed the first two phases of OTAs. But he reportedly was back for the team drills, which start this week.
Meanwhile, Beckham is making himself comfortable in his new city. On Saturday, he was at Pimlico, giving the “riders up” call before the Preakness.