NFL linebacker charged for punching NYPD sergeant at the police station: 'he never saw it coming'

An NFL linebacker was charged with assault for allegedly sucker-punching a New York Police Department officer who was trying to take his fingerprints at the station, according to the New York Post.

Detroit Lions linebacker Trevor Bates reportedly gave NYPD Sgt. James O'Brien a black eye and a concussion after suddenly punching him in the face while being processed.

"The sergeant assured him that it was no big deal," said Sergeants Benevolent Association president Ed Mullins. "You'll get scanned. You'll get paper. You'll get a court date. Out of the clear blue sky, he just wailed on the sergeant. The sergeant said he never saw it coming."

How did this happen?

Bates was arrested at about 3 a.m. Jan. 26 outside a hotel near LaGuardia Airport because he refused to pay a $32 cab fare (Bates makes $570,000 per year).

Police took Bates to the station for processing. For some reason, Bates was allegedly furious at O'Brien, saying "I want to punch the glasses off of that guy," according to court documents.

So he did.

After the alleged roundhouse punch to O'Brien's head, Bates was restrained by multiple officers and hit with the stun gun. Bates spent the next few days in the hospital for psychiatric evaluation. O'Brien was given three stitches for a cut above his eye and treated for a concussion.

"They Tased him and he ripped the prongs out," Mullins said of Bates.

The SBA issued a scathingly harsh statement against Bates after the incident.

"Trevor Bates acted beyond that of a wild animal," the tweet read. "He's dog crap and the NFL condones criminals."

What now?

Bates has been charged with second and third degree assault, obstructing governmental administration, theft of services, and resisting arrest, and will face up to seven years in prison if convicted.

The NFL and the Lions have not commented on whether Bates will be subject to any league or team discipline.