Twitter came to star NFL player Michael Bennett's defense after a story claiming Bennett assaulted an elderly woman in a wheelchair began making the rounds online.
According to KHOU, a Harris County, Texas grand jury indicted the Philadelphia Eagles defensive end, for the felony charge of injury of the elderly.
Bennett allegedly yelled, "Y'all must know who I am. I could own this motherf*cker," before injuring a 66-year-old paraplegic stadium employee while attending Super Bowl 51 in 2017 in support of his brother, New England Patriots player Martellus Bennett.
According to TMZ, Bennett allegedly broke through locked doors at the southwest corner of the NRG Stadium's tunnels. Police reportedly said they saw Bennett push three stadium employees and injure the 66-year-old woman who was in a motorized wheelchair.
Fans of Bennett suspected foul play after the story broke. The star defender has been an outspoken supporter of former San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick's anti-police brutality protest. And in his support, Bennett has become an activist in his own right, calling out America's history of white supremacy and racism.
Many Twitter users want proof that this incident took place. Police stated that there was no video and the injured employee still works at the stadium.
this is what’s past the headline on the michael bennett story. do with this what you will. https://t.co/6y8lqCr5Kb
pic.twitter.com/U0rwY5yUqY— El Flaco (@bomani_jones) March 23, 2018
They are putting this bogus charge on Michael Bennett to send a message to OTHER Black NFL players to stop calling out white supremacy, or they will use the system of white supremacy to target other Black players who get too “uppity”
— Tariq Nasheed (@tariqnasheed) March 23, 2018
Twitter users also questioned why officers did not arrest Bennett if they saw him commit the alleged assault:
If an officer witnessed this crime, why did he not arrest him at the scene? There were no cameras in the area during the Super Bowl?
— Jeffrey Lawton (@SnapBackJ) March 23, 2018
Exactly. He was on the nfl network podium after the game. They really couldn’t find him?
— M¥1£$ (16-3)SB CHAMPS (@itsmylez) March 23, 2018
A stadium camera can catch you picking your nose in section 230 row 14 seat 12, but not one camera in the biggest sporting event in America can capture this alleged assault? Right.
— Lee (@Nelson81) March 23, 2018
Others pointed out that if Bennett was white, the media and some fans would make excuses for his behavior if he did in fact committed the crime:
This seems like the outcry of a very challenged young man.
— Drew Shirley You Can't Be Serious (@DrewShirleyShow) March 23, 2018
Unfortunately for him, he doesn't have the complexion for THAT type of protection.
— Mr. Merrill (@Merrill_Art) March 23, 2018
KHOU reports that if Bennett is found guilty, the charge carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The Philadelphia Eagles released the following statement on the alleged incident:
“We are aware of the situation involving Michael Bennett and are in the process of gathering more information. Because this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.”
