NFL Linebacker Flips Cop The Bird, Leads Police On High-Speed Chase

Jacksonville, FL – Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Lerentee McCray was arrested early on Jan. 16 after he flipped off an officer who tried to pull him over for speeding and initiated a high-speed chase.

The Fruitland Park Police Department said the incident occurred at about 1 a.m. on Jan. 16 after a patrol officer saw a white Dodge Ram pickup truck going 88 mph in a 50 mph zone, ESPN reported.

The officer turned on his lights and siren to indicate that he wanted the driver to pull over.

The police report said that instead of pulling over, McCray used “an expletive hand gesture using the middle finger” and kept on driving, ESPN reported.

Fruitland Park police said that McCray led officers on a high-speed chase that went at speeds up to 100 mph before it was called off because the suspect was driving recklessly.

Officers wrote in the police report that the Jaguars’ linebacker was swerving across three lanes of traffic, according to ESPN.

McCray was ultimately stopped about 15 minutes later by members of the Tavares Police Department, the New York Post reported.

Tavares police said that when officers approached the National Football League (NFL) linebacker after he stopped his vehicle, he appeared to be in an “altered mental status.”

Officers called for an ambulance and had McCray transported to the hospital to be evaluated.

While he was at the hospital, he was interview by the Fruitland Park police officer who initially tried to pull him over, the New York Post reported.

“Oh, that was you? My bad,” McCray told the police officer, according to the police report.

He also told the officer he hadn’t given him the middle finger but was motioning for them to follow him, according to the New York Post.

The Jacksonville Jaguar was charged with fleeing/eluding police with disregard of safety to person or property and booked into jail at 7:53 a.m. on Jan. 16.

He was released 40 minutes later on a $5,000 bond, the New York Post reported.

McCray also received a speeding ticket.

“We are aware of the situation and are gathering more information,” the Jacksonville Jaguars said in a statement. “We have no further comment at this time.”

A hearing has been scheduled for February, according to the New York Post.

McCray, 31, debuted with the Denver Broncos in 2014 and has also played for the Buffalo Bills, ESPN reported.

He spent 2017 through 2021 with the Jaguars and has four sacks in his NFL career.

McCray has earned $10.8 million in salary so far during his career.