This past Friday out in Florida, a former NFL player was taken into custody after allegedly brandishing a gun at two off-duty police officers who he claimed took his parking spot.
31-year-old Orson Charles, who is known for having played tight end for four different NFL teams over his five-year career, allegedly rushed up to the officer’s car, ripped open the door for the driver’s side, and pointed a firearm at the pair during the incident, as reported by WTSP. The pair of off-duty officers stated that had just parked their car in a spot on the street in Tampa’s historic Ybor City district when an enraged Charles rushed them.
“What (are) you trying to do?” exclaimed Charles while waving the gun around, reported police officials.
The pair of officers stated that they showed their badges to the massive former athlete, but he seemingly ignored them.
“I don’t give a f***, I have one in the head,” yelled Charles allegedly before starting to curse out the officers.
Orson Charles arrested, police say he pulled gun and threatened to shoot officers. https://t.co/JxIOuRMYPh
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) July 17, 2022
As a result of the incident, Charles has been slammed with a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, the introduction of contraband into a detention facility, and carrying a concealed firearm. He is currently being held in jail with a $6,250 bond, as stated by the Sheriff’s Office of Hillsborough County.
Reportedly, the officers made no attempt to arrest the enraged gun-waving athlete at the scene, but chose to leave the space and call in the incident, read a release from police officials.
Charles, who was picked by the Cincinnati Bengals back in 2012 in the fourth round, was raised in Tampa and played throughout college for the University of Georgia. he was arrested just a month before the draft for DUI, and once again just two years later in the wake of a road rage incident in which the victim stated that Charles has pulled a gun on him.
The six-foot-three-inch 257-pound tight end played for two seasons with the Bengals, then fell out of football for two more seasons. He then played for the Detroit Lions in 2016, then moved over to the Kansas City Chiefs for a year, followed by another year with the Cleveland Browns. He has not played since 2018. Over his career, Charles sports a total of 14 catches for a total of 185 yards and no touchdowns.