A fan’s spilled drink on the Bengals’ Chase Brown was ruled an accident

CINCINNATI – An NFL investigation into an incident involving the spilling of drinks between a fan and Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown has been ruled an accident, a league spokesman said Thursday.

The incident occurred after last Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. As the Bengals left the field, a fan appeared to pour Brown a drink as he left the field and entered the tunnel. A video of the incident was posted on social media and the league and players’ association announced they were investigating the matter.

After reviewing the video and multiple surveillance camera feeds, the NFL concluded that the drink was not maliciously poured on Brown.

“The league’s review of the matter determined that portions of a drink were accidentally spilled on the Cincinnati player as Bengals fans attempted to catch the gloves he had thrown to them,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement ESPN.

If the act had been deemed malicious, a fan could have been punished, including a possible lifetime ban from the stadium.

Speaking to ESPN on Thursday, Brown said he was glad someone didn’t intentionally pour a drink on him after a career day. The second-year Illinois native scored his first two rushing touchdowns since the Bengals drafted him in the fifth round last year.

“It would suck if people did things on purpose,” Brown told ESPN. “Honestly, I’m a Bengals fan too, but I’m glad they got the gloves at the end of the day.”

Brown said the incident could impact how he distributes equipment to fans after games.

“Maybe I have to hand it in now,” he said with a smile. “I won’t vomit it anymore.”