Agent: Detroit Lions’ Trevor Bates will get psych evaluation

NEW YORK (AP) — Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Bates is undergoing a psychological evaluation at a New York City hospital after his weekend arrest on charges accusing him of punching a police officer after failing to pay a taxi fare, his agent said Monday.

The evaluation is delaying Bates' arraignment on charges including assault, resisting arrest and theft of services, authorities said.

"Following his incident in New York on Saturday, our client Trevor Bates was taken to an area hospital where he remains as he undergoes testing and a mental health evaluation," agent Jeff Jankovich said in a statement.

Bates, 25, was arrested around 1:30 a.m. Saturday at a hotel near LaGuardia Airport after allegedly refusing to pay a $32 cab fare for a ride from Manhattan.

Police say they were ready to let Bates go with an appearance ticket if he didn't have any outstanding warrants. Bates refused to be fingerprinted and punched a sergeant in the face, police said.

Sgt. James O'Brien, who was socked as he tried to calm Bates down, suffered a concussion and needed stitches over his left eye, police said. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound Bates was subdued with a stun gun and taken to a hospital.

Jankovich said Bates' alleged actions "are in no way a reflection of who he is as a person" and "not at all consistent with the man and friend we know him to be."

"At this time our priority is to ensure that Trevor receives the help he needs and that the privacy of the parties involved be respected," Jankovich said.

"We take this situation very seriously and express concern for Sergeant O'Brien and the members of the New York City Police Department," he added.

A police union said in a tweet that Bates was worse than a "wild animal," drawing criticism from police reform activists who see the language as racist and dehumanizing.

"Trevor Bates acted beyond that of a wild animal," the Sergeants Benevolent Association said in the tweet, which also described the player as "dog crap" and alleged the NFL "condones criminals."

Bates, who's from Maine and played college football at the University of Maine, joined the Lions last year and appeared in nine games. He was drafted in 2016 by the Indianapolis Colts and was on the practice squads of the New England Patriots and New York Giants.

Lions general manager Bob Quinn said the team is aware of Bates' arrest but had no further comment.

If convicted, Bates faces up to seven years in prison.