NFL suspending Alvin Kamara for three games for role in Las Vegas fight
The NFL is suspending New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara for three games for violating the team’s personal conduct policy, according to Adam Schefter. Kamara was involved in a fight in Las Vegas in 2022 that initially resulted in a felony charge. The running back agreed to a plea deal last month, days before his trial was scheduled to start in Clark County.
Kamara met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Wednesday to discuss the incident. Following that meeting, the league landed on a three-game suspension. That means Kamara will miss games versus the Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers.
In February, a Vegas grand jury indicted the Saints running back for assault from charges initially filed in February 2022. Kamara agreed to the plea deal late last month, days before his trial was scheduled to start in Clark County. Chris Lammons, who recently signed with the Colts, also was charged in the fight. Kamara and Lammons were former teammates with the Saints.
Kamara, a former Tennessee football star, initially pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit battery (a misdemeanor). And he pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of substantial bodily injury.
Kamara apologizes, accepts plea deal, settles lawsuit
He was sentenced to 30 hours of community service and agreed to pay for the victim’s medical expenses, which totaled more than $105,000. He also settled a lawsuit filed by the victim.
“I never want to be involved in something where someone gets hurt or severely injured or anything,” Kamara told reporters at camp. He said it was “poor judgment on my end. Definitely a bad decision, but I’m a man. Everything I’ve ever done in my life I stood (up for). And I can take accountability for and I can say when I’m wrong.”
Kamara added: “I was completely wrong, embarrassed the Saints, embarrassed my family and my mother, embarrassed myself and embarrassed the city. And … obviously embarrassed the NFL.”
Kamara is a cornerstone of the Saints offense. He’s the second-highest-paid running back in the NFL because of his ability to run the ball and catch it. He also tied the NFL record by scoring six touchdowns in a single game.
Saints coach Dennis Allen told reporters earlier this week that he excused Kamara from camp to fly to NYC for the meeting.
“Let’s get some resolution to where we’re at and then let’s move forward,” Allen said. “So, I think Alvin, you know, is looking forward to putting this behind him and focusing in on what he has to do to be the best he can for our team this season.”
On3’s Suzanne Halliburton contributed to this report.