Lions LB Trevor Bates Still Undergoing Mental Health Evaluation Following Recent Arrest

Jeff Jankovich, the agent for Lions LB Trevor Bates, released the following statement (per Dave Birkett) regarding his client’s recent arrest, explaining that Bates is still undergoing a mental health evaluation at a hospital in New York.

“Following his incident in New York on Saturday, our client Trevor Bates was taken to an area hospital where he remains as he undergoes testing and a mental health evaluation. I have spoken with members of Trevor’s family and others close to him, all of whom have expressed deep concern that his behavior this weekend is not at all consistent with the man and friend we know him to be.

Since entering the NFL in 2016, Trevor has demonstrated a genuine passion for serving his community in various charitable and outreach capacities. He understands the powerful platform that comes with being a professional athlete, and his actions this weekend are in no way a reflection of who he is as a person.

We take this situation very seriously and express concern for Sergeant O’Brien and the members of the New York City Police Department. At this time our priority is to ensure that Trevor receives the help he needs and that privacy of the parties involved be respected until more information becomes available.”

According to the New York Post, Bates was arrested for allegedly punching an officer because he “didn’t like the people in the room.”

Bates was arrested for refusing to pay a cab fare in New York Friday night and was taken to 115th Precinct for processing, where he punched a sergeant in the left eye as he was being fingerprinted.

The report says that the sergeant had been trying to calm Bates, who was irate in his holding pen. From there, additional officers were called in to help secure Bates, who was later taken to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation.

The sergeant was taken to the hospital and later released after being treated for a concussion and received three stitches above his eye.

Bates, 26, is a former seventh-round pick of the Colts back in 2016. He was on and off of the Colts’ active roster during his rookie season before signing on to the Patriots’ practice squad toward the end of the year.

New England brought Bates back on a futures contract in 2017m but he was once again cut loose at the start of the season and later added to their practice squad. He had a brief stint with the Giants to close out the season.

The Lions signed Bates to a contract last May and he was on and off of their roster. 

In 2018, Bates appeared in nine games for the Lions and recorded three tackles.