Chiefs Player Accused Of Animal Cruelty, He Alleges Harassment By Police

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There's a bizarre situation unfolding in Tuscaloosa, Ala., surrounding Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs. Buggs is accused of two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty, but he says that police are targeting and harassing him because of a hookah business he owns in town. 

According to the Tuscaloosa Patch, which acquired civil court documents, "on March 28, the Tuscaloosa Police Department received information of two dogs being left on the back porch of 5153 Diamond Circle." 

It was determined that it was the residence rented by Buggs. However, police also say that Buggs was evicted in April for not paying rent. The Patch cites witnesses who say that Buggs had moved out of the house around March 19. 

Kansas City Chiefs defender Isaiah Buggs, a former standout at Alabama, is charged with animal cruelty, but says police are targeting him because of his hookah business.

Kansas City Chiefs defender Isaiah Buggs, a former standout at Alabama, is charged with animal cruelty, but says police are targeting him because of his hookah business.

(Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Buggs' agent, Trey Robinson, released a statement on behalf of his client. Not only does Buggs refute the allegations, but claims that police are unfairly targeting the NFL player because of a business he owns in Tuscaloosa, Kings Hookah Lounge. 

"Isaiah vehemently denies the truthfulness of the allegations and charges asserted against him today," the statement reads. It also states that the dogs do not belong to Buggs, and he was not aware that they were on the property. 

"Furthermore, we believe the City of Tuscaloosa’s decision to file the charges today is part of a concerted effort by the City of Tuscaloosa and its Police Department to besmirch Mr. Buggs’ name and reputation as part of an ongoing subversive campaign to force the close of his local business, Kings Hookah Lounge." 

Buggs, originally from Ruston, Louisiana, played football at the University of Alabama for two years (2018-19) after transferring from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Buggs in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Since then, Buggs has played for the Steelers and Detroit Lions, while also spending time on the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad. 

The Kansas City Chiefs signed him to their practice squad in January, and he did not appear in any games during their Super Bowl run. However, the team signed him to a reserve/futures contract shortly after their championship victory. 

We will update with more information as we have it on this developing story. 

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Dan began his sports media career at ESPN, where he survived for nearly a decade. Once the Stockholm Syndrome cleared, he made his way to OutKick. He is secure enough in his masculinity to admit he is a cat-enthusiast with three cats, one of which is named "Brady" because his wife wishes she were married to Tom instead of him.