Over the weekend, Devin Bush, a linebacker for the Cleveland Browns, faced charges of harassment and misdemeanor simple assault. The incident occurred in suburban Pittsburgh, where Bush allegedly pursued a woman, reportedly his girlfriend, throughout his residence and subsequently destroyed her cellphone.
Police officers were dispatched on Sunday following a 911 call from the Sewickley home. The woman involved claimed that Bush not only assaulted her but also seized her car keys and damaged her phone to prevent her from calling for assistance.
Devin Bush, 26, who previously played as a first-round draft pick for four years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and had a stint in Seattle, joined the Browns last year. Attempts to contact Bush or his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, for a statement were unsuccessful, and as of now, no defense attorney has been recorded in court documents on Bush’s behalf.
The Browns organization responded briefly, stating they were aware of the situation and are in the process of gathering further information.
The altercation reportedly stemmed from an argument on Sunday morning. According to the woman, trouble arose over disputes involving Bush’s friend and disarray in the kitchen. As tensions escalated, she began filming Bush with her phone, which led to Bush chasing her and allegedly pinning her against a massage table to seize the phone. She claimed that Bush applied his full body weight to restrain her and confiscate the device to prevent her from seeking help.
Bush then allegedly smashed the phone and also demanded her iPad. The woman and her daughter managed to escape to a neighbor’s house. The police affidavit noted visible injuries on her right wrist and foot, which, according to her, were sustained during Bush’s attempt to take her phone.
In his statement to the police, Bush expressed his objection to being filmed but admitted to damaging the cellphone. However, he denied any physical assault on the woman.
Bush, an alumnus of the University of Michigan, started in 10 games for the Browns the prior season and achieved the fourth-highest number of tackles on the team, totaling 76. He further solidified his place with the Browns by signing a one-year, $3.25 million agreement this past March.
The matter is scheduled to proceed to a preliminary hearing on May 20.