Man who accused Aaron Donald of assault offers groveling apology after video showed Rams star was actually breaking up brawl outside nightclub
The man who filed a criminal complaint accusing Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald of assault outside a nightclub is now offering an apology to the NFL star.
It came after video appeared to show the footballer was actually breaking up the brawl outside the Boom Boom Room, a Pittsburgh-area nightclub.
De'Vinzent Spriggs now says he mistook Donald for his attacker during the skirmish, in a statement through his attorney Todd J. Hollis.
'I wanted to make this statement public. And to extend an apology to Aaron for what he's gone through, but I clearly know this was not him,' said Spriggs, per Pittsburgh's KDKA CBS affiliate.
Through his attorney Todd J. Hollis, De'Vinzent Spriggs says he mistook Donald for his attacker during the skirmish outside the Boom Boom Room
After being accused of seriously injuring a man in a brawl outside a Pittsburgh night club, NFL star Aaron Donald now appears to be exonerated by newly released security footage from the incident, according to his attorney. On Friday, local station WPXI released security footage from the brawl that appears to show Donald attempting to break up the fight as a crowd of combatants are seen punching and stomping on one individual
This comes shortly after Donald's attorney Casey White claimed video and eyewitnesses at the scene will refute assault claims alleging Donald was responsible for Spriggs' injuries.
White also said the newly released security footage exonerates his client, a Pittsburgh native and former University of Pittsburgh star.
'He actually saves Mr. Spriggs from further injury.' White told Pittsburgh radio station 93.7 The Fan.
'There's not much else left to do to be honest with you because he's not assaulted by Aaron Donald; he's actually saved by Aaron Donald,' White continued. 'Mr. Spriggs should write a ''thank you'' card to Aaron Donald.'
Aaron Donald's (pictured) attorney Casey White said the newly released security footage exonerates his client
Spriggs filed his criminal complaint in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, alleging that he needed 16 stitches and suffered a broken orbital bone, broken nose, concussion and a significant arm injury in a 3am bar fight Sunday
'He didn't cause any trouble, obviously he witnessed trouble,' said White. 'He's got a lot of friends in Pittsburgh and he likes Pittsburgh, he lives here in the offseason.'
Spriggs filed his criminal complaint in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, alleging that he needed 16 stitches and suffered a broken orbital bone, broken nose, concussion and a significant arm injury in a 3am bar fight Sunday.
At the time, Spriggs claimed he accidentally bumped into Donald, who immediately became enraged, and things turned physical.
White told ESPN on Friday that Spriggs started the fracas by digging his elbow into Donald's back, then swinging a beer bottle over Donald's head.
'He turned around and it's this Mr. Spriggs ... and Aaron goes, 'What's up?' and Mr. Spriggs starts yelling belligerently, 'Did I mean to? Did I mean to?' He keeps repeating, it's kind of nonsensical, but he keeps yelling, 'Did I mean to?' It's apparent to Aaron and it's apparent to all the witnesses that is intoxicated,' White said.
The altercation allegedly took place in an alley (pictured) outside the club Cosmo on Carson
'As he ducks, somebody from behind grabs him to stop him from interacting with this guy, Mr. Spriggs, so he holds Aaron back in a sense,' White said. 'At that point, that's when other people come to Aaron's aid and defend him by removing, so to speak, Mr. Spriggs from the area where he is punched, and he is fighting; it's a mutual fight at this point between other individuals who Aaron does not really know.'
The Rams issued a statement confirming they were aware of the incident and were gathering more details.
Spriggs is not from Pennsylvania, according to Hollis, who did not specify where his client lives.
The brawl is said to have taken place in an alley near Cosmo on Carson, a Pittsburgh nightclub
Donald, however, is one of Pittsburgh's favorite sons, having starred at the University of Pittsburgh before being picked in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Although undersized for a defensive tackle at 6-foot-1, 285 pounds, Donald has established himself as one of football's best linemen, having been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his seven seasons.
Donald is currently signed to one of the largest contacts in the NFL: a six-year deal worth up to $135 million with $86 million guaranteed. Thus far, over his seven-year NFL career, Donald has earned over $77 million.
Donald is currently signed to one of the largest contacts in the NFL: a six-year deal worth up to $135 million with $86 million guaranteed
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