CHESAPEAKE, Va., Nov. 29 (UPI) -- Four teenagers have been arrested in the beating of former NFL linebacker Ed Beard, authorities in Chesapeake, Va., say.
City police spokeswoman Kelly O'Sullivan said the youths, ages 15-17, were being held in the Chesapeake Juvenile Services Center on malicious wounding and malicious assault by mob charges, The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot reported Tuesday.
The 71-year-old Beard was bicycling with his Maltese poodle in Chesapeake's South Norfolk neighborhood Oct. 23 when he witnessed 15-20 youths assaulting someone on an elementary school baseball field. The former San Francisco 49ers player said when he tried to disrupt the attack by talking to the youths, they turned on him.
He has since recovered from the concussion, cuts and bruises he suffered, the newspaper said.
O'Sullivan said the four teens charged allegedly were the "primary aggressors."
"Hopefully, the court and city will take this opportunity to take a stand," Beard said. "What's going on is just getting worse and worse.
"I just hope it turns out all right. It's a waste of time if they just smack them on the wrist."
