Browns’ Garrett says ‘fan’ punched him in face
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett told police Wednesday that he was “punched” in the face by a man while in his car in Cleveland.
Garrett said he was driving when a “fan” flagged him down to take a picture and then gave him “a pillow tap” in the face.
A “fan” hopped out his car to take a picture with me and then punched me in my face. Hm, put your legs into it might have actually made me flinch. 👍🏾
A report from the Cleveland Division of Police identified the suspect as Richard Perez, 24, from Strongsville, Ohio.
Garrett, 23, told police he was on his cellphone at 2:55 p.m. ET when a man later identified as Perez pulled up next to the vehicle and asked for a picture, according to the report. Garrett said the man got out of his car and approached his down driver’s side window and took a photo of him. After the man took the photo, he struck Garrett with a closed fist.
The man got back in his car and fled the scene. Garrett told police he was not injured, but surprised.
Police found Perez via his license plate number.
Garrett, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft, is tied for the NFL lead with nine sacks.
A Browns spokesman said the team is aware of the incident. The Browns next play Oct. 27 at the New England Patriots.