Photographer Sues NFL Player Davante Adams Over Shoving Incident
A photographer has brought a civil lawsuit against NFL star Davante Adams after he shoved the media worker to the ground last October — he has also named two NFL teams.
Park Zebley claims that he suffered whiplash, headaches, and a minor concussion after Raiders player Adams pushed him as the wide receiver was leaving the field of play in a foul mood following a loss to the Chiefs.
Adams was charged with a misdemeanor assault by Kansas City Police Department, an investigation that is still ongoing but now Zebley has decided to file a lawsuit.
“A municipal misdemeanor battery charge is not sufficient,” Zebley says in a statement to the Kansas City Star. “I’m looking for justice. You can’t shove someone down and walk off like it didn’t happen. Not in real life.”
Zebley has also named Adams’s team the Las Vegas Raiders in the civil suit; as well as the Kansas City Chiefs, the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority, and Landmark Events Staffing.
The Chiefs, their stadium owners, and the event staff have been named because Zebley believes the accused “failed to provide the requisite amount and quality of on-field security,” according to CBS.
Meanwhile, Adams is being sued for one count of battery and the Raiders are being sued for one count of vicarious liability and one count of negligent supervision.
Fallout
Zebley says that he “feared for his life” after his identity was leaked online and he allegedly received harassment and death threats from Raiders fans.
According to Zebley’s attorney, the media worker wants compensation for the “anguish and pain” he has suffered over the incident.
“In the days that followed, media and various fans of the Las Vegas Raiders and Adams discovered (Zebley’s) identity, circulated his contact information, and made death threats against him, as well as other generally vile comments,” the lawsuit states.
“(Zebley) felt concerned for his own safety and sought counseling and stayed away from his apartment.”
Davante Adams was visibly upset after the Raiders’ loss to the Chiefs. pic.twitter.com/XW2fmx6adJ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 11, 2022
Adams made an apology after the incident saying: “Sorry to the guy I pushed over after the game. Obviously very frustrated at the way the game ended and when he ran in front of me as I exited that was my reaction and I felt horrible immediately.”
Sports publication Marca apportioned blame to the photographer writing he “was completely unaware of his surroundings and moving at a quick speed.”
Update on 6/26/23: Charges against Adams have been dropped.
“An assault charge against Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams for shoving a credentialed media worker in Kansas City after an October game has been dropped,” ESPN reports. “A spokesperson for the Kansas City municipal court told The Kansas City Star on Friday that a prosecutor had dismissed the misdemeanor charge June 5 and that the case was closed.”
