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Cleveland Browns' Malik McDowell arrested on charge of public exposure in Florida

McDowell is also being held on charges of resisting arrest and aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, according to inmate records.
Malik McDowell
Malik McDowell of the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 26. Emilee Chinn / Getty Images file

Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Malik McDowell was arrested Monday after allegedly exposing himself in public and resisting deputies who responded to a call about the matter.

McDowell, 25, is being held on charges of public exposure, resisting arrest with violence and aggravated battery of an officer, according to Broward County inmate records.

He was in custody pending a hearing as of Tuesday afternoon, with no attorney information immediately available.

An arrest record from the Broward County Sheriff's Office shows that a deputy responded to a call of a naked man by a school, at which point McDowell allegedly stood up from a curb and spoke an expletive.

The arrest record alleges that McDowell then charged toward and rammed the deputy with his body before striking them in the head with closed fists.

"The punches were swung with extreme aggression with at least one strike hitting me on my right eye / temple area of my eye," the deputy alleged. "When I felt the strike hit, I was dazed and felt extreme pain in the area I was struck."

The deputy pursued McDowell on foot, deployed a taser and then handcuffed and arrested him, according to the arrest record.

The deputy further alleged that they sustained "permanent injury" to their eye area.

The Browns said in a statement that it was aware of the incident and was "in the process of gathering more information."

"We understand the severity of this matter and our thoughts are for the well-being of all involved," the team said. "We will have no further comment at this time."

McDowell has had multiple arrests since he was picked up in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks, according to NBC Sports.

In one incident, he was suspended for two games following a February 2019 arrest where he was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, resisting arrest and assault.

TMZ released video of the incident, in which McDowell fights with Michigan police officers who pulled him over in front of a gas station. McDowell refused orders before eventually being hit with a stun gun and arrested.

He pleaded guilty to the incident and was sentenced to jail time. McDowell was signed to the Browns after his release and told The Associated Press he appreciated the team taking a chance on him.

"I told them how much I wanted it and how much I wouldn't let them down giving me this opportunity even though I had chance after chance," he said last year. "And this being my last chance and everything, you all giving me this opportunity, I won't make you look bad."

McDowell's Florida arrest record noted he is on probation until Nov. 13 for Michigan charges.