Florida State Kicker Faces Felony Charges After Bar Altercation
Florida State University kicker Conor McAneney has been suspended indefinitely from all team activities following his arrest on serious felony charges in South Florida. The incident, which occurred during spring break, involved an alleged physical confrontation with law enforcement officers outside a bar.
Alleged Assault on Law Enforcement
According to court documents and police reports obtained by TMZ, McAneney is accused of battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest with violence, both listed as third-degree felonies. Additional charges include trespassing during the altercation that unfolded after the kicker was reportedly asked to leave a bar establishment.
Police accounts describe a situation where McAneney allegedly refused to comply with officers' instructions and instead grabbed onto a barrier outside the venue. The confrontation escalated when the athlete reportedly seized an officer's arm and shirt, attempting to pull the law enforcement professional to the ground.
Violent Confrontation Details
'[He] attempted to pull me down, placing me off balance, nearly falling through the barrier into the roadway where traffic was flowing,' one officer reported in official documents. '[I] punched the defendant two times in the face and brought him to the ground where he continued to actively resist our attempts to place him into custody.'
Mugshot photographs released following the arrest show McAneney with visible injuries including a bloodied and swollen lip, scratches, and apparent damage to his jaw area. The Northern Irish-born football star was eventually detained and transported to jail following the physical altercation.
University Response and Background
Florida State University confirmed McAneney's indefinite suspension in a statement to the Daily Mail, noting the athlete has been barred from all team activities pending resolution of the legal proceedings. The university's football program is currently on spring break with no active practices scheduled.
McAneney, a sophomore transfer from Quincy University in Illinois, joined the Seminoles football program this year. Listed on the FSU athletics website as a native of Plumbridge, Northern Ireland, the kicker previously competed in Gaelic football before transitioning to American football at the collegiate level.
The incident represents a significant setback for both the athlete and the Florida State football program as they prepare for upcoming seasons. Legal proceedings will determine the final outcome of the felony charges filed against the suspended kicker.
