New Orleans cops issue arrest warrant for Odell Beckham Jr. after he slapped an officer’s BUTT

New Orleans police have issued an arrest warrant for Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. after video posted on social media showed the NFL star slapping a male police officer’s backside while celebrating LSU’s national title win on Monday night. 

The warrant is for simple battery, a New Orleans Police Department spokesperson told the Daily Mail. 

Beckham, a Louisiana native and former LSU player, can be seen watching the officer threatening players with arrest for smoking cigars in the locker room at the Superdome after the historic win. 

Near the end of the clip, Beckham winds up and slaps the officer’s butt.

Odell Beckham Jr., a Louisiana native and former LSU player, can be seen in the video watching as the unidentified officer admonishes players for smoking cigars in the locker room. Near the end of the clip, Beckham winds up and slaps the officer’s butt (left). The officer then spins around and approaches Beckham, who appears to be singing and dancing (right)

Beckham, who starred for LSU from 2011 to 2013, celebrated the win in the Tigers’ locker room

The unidentified officer then spins around and approaches Beckham, who appears to be singing and dancing.

New Orleans police sought a warrant for misdemeanor sexual battery, according to NOLA.com, but that was declined by a judge. 

According to the NOLA.com report, the officer ‘wanted to retaliate by punching the offender.’

That distinction is significant, because a sexual battery conviction cannot be expunged following a conviction, according to NOLA.com. 

Beckham’s post-game antics also drew the attention of LSU, which is investigating allegations that he gave cash gifts to Tigers players on the field after the win over Clemson. 

LSU contacted officials from the NCAA and Southeastern Conference about Beckham’s apparent cash payments to Heisman-winning quarterback Joe Burrow and other Tigers players on the field after the national championship game, a university spokesman said. 

Videos posted on social media showed Beckham placing money in the hand of Tigers receiver Justin Jefferson and celebrating with players in LSU’s locker room in the Superdome. 

LSU athletics spokesman Michael Bonnette said initial information suggested that Beckham handed out ‘novelty bills’ to players after the top-ranked Tigers defeated Clemson on Monday night. 

However, further investigation showed that Beckham may have given away real money, Bonnette said.

Beckham was seen pulling a stack of bills out of his pocket and handing a few to Jontre Kirklin

‘Information and footage reviewed since shows apparent cash may have also been given to LSU student-athletes,’ Bonnette said in a statement. 

‘We were in contact with the NCAA and the SEC immediately upon learning of this situation in which some of our student-athletes may have been placed in a compromising position. We are working with our student-athletes, the NCAA and the SEC in order to rectify the situation.’

Burrow, who has exhausted his college eligibility and is expected to be a top NFL draft choice this year, said on a Barstool Sports podcast that it appeared to him Beckham was handing out actual cash.

‘I’m not a student-athlete anymore, so I can say yeah,’ Burrow said on ‘Pardon My Take.’ 

The NCAA does not allow players to receive cash benefits while playing college football. Those rules are designed to prevent institutions from luring talent through the promise of direct or indirect payments.

Beckham starred for LSU from 2011 to 2013 and was a first-round draft pick by the New York Giants. He was traded to Cleveland before last season, although reports have suggested he has been unhappy with the Browns.  

Jefferson, who just completed his junior season, is eligible to turn pro and enter this spring’s NFL draft.

SEVEN LSU UNDERGRADUATES DECLARE FOR APRIL’S NFL DRAFT 

Dynamic running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, receiver Justin Jefferson and safety Grant Delpit are among seven players from LSU’s national championship team who’ve stated their intention to enter the NFL draft.

Offensive linemen Saahdiq Charles and Lloyd Cushnberry, and linebackers Patrick Queen and Jacob Phillips also announced their intention to turn pro Wednesday.

Edwards-Helaire rushed for 1,414 yards and 16 touchdowns this season to go with 453 yards and one TD receiving. The Baton Rouge native concluded his career with 110 yards rushing and 54 yards receiving in No. 1 LSU’s 42-25 triumph over Clemson in Monday night’s national title game in New Orleans.

LSU safety Grant Delpit (center) is one of seven Tigers players who declared for the NFL Draft on Wednesday following Monday’s national championship Clemson over Clemson

LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has also declared for the NFL Draft 

Jefferson led LSU in catches with 111 and ranked second on the team with 1,540 yards receiving, finishing with nine catches for 106 yards against Clemson.

Delpit was a first-team All-American in 2018 whose production also picked up in the closing weeks of the season. He had five solo tackles, a sack and forced fumble in the national title game. He also intercepted two passes this season.

Cushenberry and Charles started up front for the most prolific offense in the 126-year history of LSU’s football program, helping the Tigers total 6,024 yards through the air and 3,806 on the ground. 

Phillips was LSU’s leader in total tackles with 113. He had 7 1/2 tackles for loss including one sack and a forced fumble.

Queen was LSU’s third-leading tackler. His 85 total tackles included 12 for losses and three sacks. He also had an interception and fumble recovery this season. He made six tackles in the national title game, including 2 1/2 tackles for loss and a half-sack.  

–Associated Press