Cleveland Browns linebacker Devin Bush, Jr. arrived with the hopes of rejuvenating a stagnant career back in 2024. After two seasons, he has certainly turned his career around.
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Back in May of this past spring, an incident popped up that had the potential to derail his comeback. He was accused of assault and harassment charges stemming from an incident with his girlfriend that led to his arrest.
On Tuesday, Bush was found not guilty. Allegheny County (Pennsylvania)
Common Pleas Judge Bruce Beemer said prosecutors failed to prove Bush had the intent to harm or injure his girlfriend.
The incident occurred in May after the police responded to a telephone call regarding an alleged assault in a Pittsburgh subdivision. Upon arrival, the police interviewed a woman who identified herself as Bush’s girlfriend. She then stated that Bush had assaulted her and stolen her car keys after an argument. It was stated that a portion of the argument was recorded on her cellphone, and Bush had attempted to get the phone out of her possession in an attempt to erase the content.
She also stated that Bush had pinned her against a table in an office with his full body weight on top of her. Then, according to the report, Bush took her phone and smashed it. The girlfriend then left the residence and called police at a neighbor’s house.
In the report, it states that the girlfriend had cuts on her wrist and outside her right foot, and the police found cellphone pieces thrown about. Bush did admit to smashing the phone, but stated the evening’s events never became physical.
According to ESPN, the NFL is still reviewing the case:
A spokesperson for the NFL, which has been reviewing the matter under the personal conduct policy, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Bush was a highly decorated college star at Michigan, including being named the Big-10 Defensive Player of the Year, and was taken with the 10th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2019 NFL draft. He was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team.
He had 109 tackles in his rookie season, but was injured in his sophomore campaign and never came back the same player. The Steelers declined his fifth-year option, and he was allowed to leave unceremoniously. Bush bottomed out with the Seattle Seahawks in 2023 when he had just three starts with 37 total tackles.
On March 15, 2024, Bush signed a one-year contract with the Browns and then signed another one-year deal for this season. Last year, he had 76 tackles, and this season he has balled out with 93 tackles with three games left on the schedule. He is currently ranked #44 in total tackles in the league and is second on the Browns in total tackles behind LB Carson Schwesinger (133).
The vision for next year’s linebacker crew is exciting especially if Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah returns to join Schwesinger and Bush.
