Bengals players Chris Henry and Reggie McNeal deny involvement in alleged Friday incident.
Florence police continue their search for the truth following an allegation that two teenagers were assaulted by two Cincinnati Bengals players, Chris Henry and Reggie McNeal, this past Friday night.
It allegedly occurred at Mount Zion Road and Wetherington Boulevard around 11:00 p.m.
Police say Henry and McNeal told detectives they weren't in the area at the time and were not involved in the incident.
The teenagers – one 18-years-old and the other 16-years-old – said they were walking at the intersection when a black SUV pulled up and a man inside asked one of them if he was a certain person.
"When he replied 'No,' that he wasn't, at that point in time the white gentleman in the car punched him," said Florence police spokesperson Captain Linny Cloyd.
"The victim tells us that another person, African-American, got out of the car as he and his friend were trying to leave and shoved him to the ground," said Cloyd.
The police report on the incident only contains the words "unknown male subject" when referring to the assailant.
Dispatchers sent an officer to the scene, but he couldn't find the vehicle.
The case was turned over to a detective on Monday.
"He talked to the victim in the case and was presented with a photograph – a computer-generated photograph – of Chris Henry, that he was the one who assaulted him," Capt. Cloyd said.
"As well, he said Reggie McNeal was also there and had assaulted him as well," said Cloyd.
Detectives have talked to both Henry and McNeal.
"Their statement was they weren't in the area. It was not them. They were somewhere else in the city," said Cloyd.
Those stories are being checked out.
The teenagers were also re-interviewed Wednesday.
At this point, police say they believe they are telling the truth.
Capt. Cloyd said there's no timetable for completing the investigation.
"We want to make sure we get it right – get it right the first time – and we feel comfortable whichever way it happens to fall," he said.
The case poses an interesting question: Are professional athletes targeted by members of the general public?
Richard Katz, of Katz Sports Management, says yes.
He represents 17 members of the National Football League (NFL).
None of them plays for the Bengals.
"They are subject to a different kinds of treatment when they're in public," Katz said, adding that some people might resent the amount of money they make.
"There are people out there who may be jealous and want to pick a fight – or stage something – or make claims that aren't really true, that are fabricated," Katz continued.
Katz says he tells his clients not to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, because there is a chance that someone they meet may have an agenda and want to take it out on them.
