Chants of "Free Fournette!" were shouted as police in Duval County were putting Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette into the back of the squad car. Nobody expected the NFL player to be in handcuffs during the offseason, but that's exactly what took place in Florida on Thursday afternoon.
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According to TMZ Sports, the 24-year-old Fournette was driving a black GMC Denali when he was pulled over by police at the Easy Breezy Car Wash. Multiple cop cars arrived on the scene and the former first-round pick was put in handcuffs.
So why was the 6-foot, 230-pound running back arrested? The traffic stop meant Fournette was caught driving with a suspended license due to an unpaid speeding ticket back in November.
The November citation was for driving 12 mph over the speed limit, according to Justin Barney of WJXT4 in Jacksonville, and apparently the $204 ticket from Neptune Beach was not paid. He was caught driving 37 in a 25 mph zone, according to TMZ Sports.
That's not exactly a good look for the former LSU Tigers star currently on a four-year, $27 million rookie contract.
BREAKING: #Jaguars star running back Leonard Fournette has been arrested after a traffic violation. This is exclusive video as we saw him get booked at Duval County jail around 2:30pm today; stems from a November citation in Neptune Beach, which police say he didn’t pay. @wjxt4 pic.twitter.com/6AebuVKITA
— Vic Micolucci (@VicMicolucci) April 11, 2019
After being booked at Duval County Jail, which was captured by Vic Micolucci of WJXT, Fournette, who rushed for 439 yards and five touchdowns last year, was released on $1,058 bond.
The Jacksonville Jaguars promptly released a statement:
Statement from the Jaguars on RB Leonard Fournette’s arrest: “The Jacksonville Jaguars are aware of the situation involving running back Leonard Fournette and are continuing to gather more information. No further comment will be provided at this time.”
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) April 11, 2019
"The Jacksonville Jaguars are aware of the situation involving running back Leonard Fournette and are continuing to gather more information. No further comment will be provided at this time."
Although the traffic violation seems like no big deal and should be swept under the rug, the unpaid speeding ticket is just one more thing the Jaguars have dealt with since drafting the New Orleans native No. 4 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. He hasn't been in trouble with the law until now, but he's faced suspensions from the team for other reasons.
What will happen after Fournette's arrest for a suspended driver's license? Your guess is as good as mine.
