Former Pittsburgh Steelers and current Cleveland Browns linebacker Devin Bush is in hot water. ... and while "innocent until proven guilty'' still holds ... the Browns maybe have a major disciplinary decision to deal with here once the NFL investigates.
First, the facts ...
Reports indicate Bush was arrested in the Bell Acres area near Pittsburgh on Sunday. Colin Dunlap of KDKA radio reported the former first-round pick was picked up for simple assault and harassment.
The charge of simple assault is a second-degree misdemeanor and harassment is a "summary" charge. In Pennsylvania, a second-degree misdemeanor carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. A summary charge can carry 90 days in prison and a $300 fine.
Per the document, Bush is awaiting preliminary arraignment.
And of course, he may establish that he is innocent of all charges here.
But "misdemeanor'' is a misleading word here.
A "maximum sentence of five years in prison''? Those words are more daunting.
Bush was the 10th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by Pittsburgh, and he played four seasons with the Steelers through 2022 before signing with the Seattle Seahawks for one season.
The former Wolverine joined the Browns ahead of last season as a free agent on a one-year, $1.5 million deal, and re-signed this offseason for one season and $3.25 million with $2.97 million guaranteed.
Bush earned a new contract in Cleveland by posting 76 total tackles with eight for loss, one sack, one quarterback hit and three passes defended across 16 games and 10 starts.
In four seasons with the Steelers, Bush tallied 286 total tackles with 173 solo and 13 for loss. He added two interceptions, 13 passes defended and four sacks across 52 games with 48 starts.
For his career, Bush has posted 399 combined tackles with 236 solo, five sacks, two interceptions, 16 passes defended, two forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries.
There is no great history of trouble with this player, and now Bush will be subject to discipline under the NFL's personal conduct policy as well as any potential consequences from the criminal justice system.
But there is also this, and it goes for Cleveland and the other 31 teams, too: The days coddling a star in trouble, like Deshaun Watson? That may never go away.
But the days of hiding under the rug a guy's alleged misdeeds just because we all love football? Those seem to be fading.
