The San Franciso 49ers, still in the midst of the Colin Kaepernick controversy, released fullback-turned-tight end Bruce Miller Monday after he was arrested for the drunken assault of a 70-year-old man and his 29-year-old son.
On Sunday night, Miller allegedly attempted to book a room at the Fisherman’s Wharf Marriott Hotel, but was turned away due to a lack of vacancy, according to local news KTVU. Returning to that hotel just before 3 a.m., Miller knocked on the door of an elderly couple whose son was in the neighboring room, KRON 4 reported. The son informed Miller he had the wrong room, and Miller attacked him, according to an account of the exchange. The 70-year-old father tried to intervene. A punch to the elderly man’s face left him with broken bones. The man and his son were taken to the hospital.
Miller, 29, is listed at an intimidating 6’ 2” and 248 pounds on a roster from last Thursday’s game between the San Diego Chargers and 49ers. During that game, 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick continued his high profile protest, refusing to stand for the national anthem as a member of the U.S. military sang the Star Spangled Banner for the Chargers’ 28th Annual Salute to the Military Game.
KTVU reported that a hotel employee at the Travelodge across from the Marriott saw Miller bloody and vomitting, prompting the worker to call 9-1-1. Surveillance video shows Miller with blood dripping down his face.
“He had a chance and he blew it and what was he thinkin’ before he did that,” Elliot Humphrey told KTVU. “It makes the organization look real bad.”
Miller was let go from the team on Monday.
The now former 49ers player has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon (not a firearm), 2 counts of making criminal threats, and battery.
Miller pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery after an incident last year that led to spousal battery charges, according to KTVU. The charges came over a “heated argument” during which Miller smashed the cell phone of his then-fiancée.
A Saturday analysis of the 49ers’ initial 53-man roster stated of Miller, “Bruce Miller’s transition to tight end continues to be a successful one. The former star fullback has made the roster at his new pass-catching role.”
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