Agent says Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones’ recent arrest shows excessive policing

The representative of former NFL player Adam “Pacman” Jones raised concerns about the actions of Covington police, labeling it as another incident of excessive policing during the arrest of his client recently.

Jones was taken into custody on Saturday during the early hours and faced charges of public intoxication, disorderly conduct, and assault on a police officer.

Peter Schaffer, acting as Jones’ agent, contested that the retired NFL player had not engaged in any misconduct during his encounter with the police. According to Schaffer, Jones’ only offense was questioning why he was being detained – a basic inquiry that every individual should have the right to pose without apprehension of reprisal.

“Initially, officers claimed he was being arrested for assault and then shifted to public intoxication (which, in itself, is not a crime in many jurisdictions unless it leads to dangerous behavior), and finally settled on disorderly conduct — simply for asking why he was being detained,” Schaffer said in a statement, according to Pro Football Talk. “This pattern of escalating and inconsistent charges is a clear abuse of authority and demonstrates a troubling trend of police officers prioritizing their own discretion over constitutional rights.

“Adam, like every American, is innocent until proven guilty. Yet, once again, his past is being weaponized against him in the court of public opinion, while the officers involved face no scrutiny for their conduct. The repeated mischaracterization of his encounters with law enforcement — often stemming from minor incidents — only reinforces the need for accountability in policing.”

A police news release stated that officers had been called to a bar around 1 a.m. on Saturday morning over a report of a “disturbance involving a customer and an employee,” and when they arrived, they had been notified of a car attempting to leave the area. 

Officers stopped the car being driven by Jones and they stated that he had been consuming alcohol and that the charges “related to his level of intoxication and his behavior.” 

“Adam Jones is being held to the same standard of conduct as any other individual in our community,” police said in the release.

Jones has had several encounters with law enforcement over the years, which have included an altercation at a hotel in Arlington, Texas, after the Jake Paul fight against Mike Tyson and an arrest at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in 2023. 

Jones hasn’t played in the NFL since 2018 and spent the majority of his career with the Bengals, along with stints with the Titans and Cowboys.