Evan Rodriguez, an NFL player for the Chicago Bears, was arrested in Miami Beach, Florida on Wednesday after he allegedly interfered with a police investigation following an accident, news sources report. Rodriguez, 24, was booked into a Miami Beach holding facility on charges of resisting arrest and disorderly intoxication. His bail was set at $1,500. So far, no lawyer has released a statement on behalf of Rodriguez.
According to reports, Rodriguez plays as a tight end for the Chicago Bears football team. To date, Rodriguez has participated in 12 games and has made it to rookie status playing fullback. The Chicago Bears released a statement regarding Rodriguez's recent arrest, saying, "We are aware of the reports regarding [Rodriguez]. We are currently gathering information to learn more about the circumstances surrounding the situation." So far, it is unclear how this arrest will affect Rodriguez's position with the team.
Rodriguez has been in Miami Beach during the off-season to practices with teammate, reports say. The incident began around 9:30 Wednesday evening when the car Rodriguez had been traveling in was involved in a collision. It does not appear as though Rodriguez was driving; the driver's identity was not immediately available following the crash. Police spoke with the driver and Rodriguez following the accident. For unknown reasons, officers asked to see Rodriguez's ID, sources say. He became upset and allegedly told the officer, "For what, I don't need this, I'm an NFL player. I don't need all that media stuff." Rodriguez declined medical attention while officers asked the driver to exit the vehicle and perform a sobriety test.
Despite officers telling him to stay in the vehicle, Rodriguez allegedly left the scene and did not return until officers told the driver to call him back. Rodriguez returned to the scene and approached the officer conducting the sobriety test from behind. A second officer told Rodriguez to stand back and sit on the curb, to which Rodriguez said, "I'm hard-headed like that and I don't have to listen," a police report says. Police say Rodriguez appeared to be intoxicated and smelled strongly of alcohol. "I don't need this, I'm an NFL player," Rodriguez reportedly said again.