Rashard Higgins Traffic Stop Video Released, Told by Police to Stomp on Alleged Marijuana
A day after Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins and offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr. were cited for street racing, dashboard camera footage of Higgins’ traffic stop has been released that includes police instructing him to dispose of a marijuana joint.
In dashcam video released by TMZ Sports on Wednesday, Westlake Police Department officers are seen questioning Higgins about the condition of his vehicle, saying it smells of marijuana. The wide receiver told them he had smoked in the car the day before.
When officers searched Higgins’ person, one of them discovered a marijuana cigarette in his pocket. Higgins told police he was unaware that he had it on him.
Instead of adding marijuana possession to Higgins charges, the officer tossed the joint on the pavement and instructed the wide receiver to step on it and kick it into a nearby sewer saying it was “bad for press.”
“You guys are celebrities around here, so you don’t want that hitting the news,” the officer said.
Higgins and Wills were cited for drag racing, a first-degree misdemeanor, but the wide receiver was not charged for marijuana possession. They are expected to be due in court for the incident later this month.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski was asked about the incident when speaking with the media Wednesday, and insisted that the matter was being addressed internally.
“We have addressed it,’’ he said. “I have addressed it with the team. I’ll leave it at that.”
This latest distraction for the Browns comes just four days before their first playoff game in 18 years, a Wildcard round matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on Sunday night.
Cleveland will also be without Stefanski and starting left guard Joel Bitonio on Sunday, as both tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week.
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