Former Florida star Dante Fowler, now with the Jacksonville Jaguars, has been suspended from the upcoming season opener for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy in a 2017 arrest in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Fowler, 23, was arrested in his hometown in July 2017 and charged with misdemeanor counts of battery, petit theft and mischief. He was accused of hitting a man who had criticized his driving, knocking his glasses and stepping on them, then throwing a bag containing liquor into a nearby lake.
Fowler pleaded no contest in March, resulting in one year of probation, along with 75 hours of community service and $2,575 in fines.
Fowler had eight sacks last year in his third NFL season, helping the Jaguars reach the AFC Championship Game before losing to the Patriots. Jacksonville opted in May not to pick up his fifth-year option, which would have been about $14 million for 2019, so he will be an unrestricted free agent next spring.
Jacksonville opens its season Sept. 9 at the Giants.
