Robby Anderson was arrested last week on nine serious charges, and the arresting officer wrote in his report that the New York Jets receiver threatened to sexually assault his wife. On Monday, Anderson’s lawyer, Ed O’Donnell, said that just is not true.
“First of all, I don’t believe that’s accurate,” O’Donnell said, per Calvin Watkins of Newsday. “It doesn’t fit the statutory charge people get with a crime like that. Adrenaline was flying on both sides. Robby never threatened to rape anybody. The statutory requirements are not there.”
O’Donnell also said the notion his client was trying to run from the police isn’t true, either. Instead, he said Anderson was a victim of racial profiling, saying, “Robby didn’t run. Just for a young black man, who sees lights, it’s a frightening thing. The apprehension is real.”
The attorney also said Anderson was not under the influence of any alcohol or drugs and said the entire thing was overblown: “Not excusing the speed, but traffic stops have resulted in less. I’m not pointing fingers.”
Anderson has a March 19 court date to address his charges.
He’s in the final year of his first NFL contract and is set to earn a base salary of $630,000 in 2018. This past season with the Jets, Anderson caught 63 passes for 941 yards and seven touchdowns.