Aaron Kromer, an offensive line coach with the Buffalo Bills, was arrested Sunday morning on misdemeanor battery charges in Florida.
Walton County Sheriff’s Office released a statement explaining that the 48-year-old coach and his son allegedly confronted three boys, one of whom was his
neighbor’s son, according to the NFL Network.
In a disagreement over beach chairs, Kromer is accused of pushing his neighbor’s son to the ground and punching him in the face after throwing a fishing
rod into the water, ESPN reported. The statement also alleges that Kromer ordered the chairs be returned to where they were found and threatened to kill the boy’s family if the incident was reported to the police.
A source told Fox Sports, however, that the altercation resulted from a robbery of the beach chairs.
“It was dark out. He couldn't see the people,” the source said. “The kids were belligerent and threatened him. Bottom line, they stole his property, and he couldn't identify them because it was dark out, and they threatened him.”
The ages of the boys were not released, but Fox Sports’ Mike Garafolo
tweeted that the boy who was punched is a minor, according to NBC Sports.
The Walton County Jail booked the coach around 1 a.m., but he was released on bond shortly after 3 a.m.
“We are aware of the report and in the process of gathering the facts,” the Bills said in a statement, according to ESPN.
According to SB Nation, the penalty for a first offense of this type is an automatic suspension of at least six games. If convicted of the misdemeanor, Kromer could face up to a year in prison and $1,000 in fines.
Kromer joined the Bills in January after two seasons working as the offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears.
Last December, Kromer made a “tearful apology” during a team meeting after criticizing quarterback Jay Cutler to a NFL Network reporter.