Cleveland Browns safety Ronnie Hickman
© Scott Galvin/Imagn
The Cleveland Browns‘ already horrific NFL offseason got even worse on Monday when safety Ronnie Hickman was assaulted in the lobby of a New York City hotel.
The attack left Hickman with minor injuries, but he was taken to the hospital where he was treated and released.
The New York Post reports that a dispute broke out after Hickman, a New Jersey native, was approached by four people in the lobby of SIXTY LES hotel after 4:30 a.m. ET. The suspects reportedly punched Hickman before leaving the hotel.
“Safety Ronnie Hickman was a victim of assault early Monday morning at a New York City hotel,” the Browns said in a statement about the 24-year-old Ohio State star. “Ronnie was treated for minor injuries at an area hospital after the incident, was later released, and is home resting with his family.”
The Cleveland Browns Have Already Had A Mess Of An Offseason
According to the report, police have not yet made any arrests in the attack. But the incident continues a difficult offseason for the Browns, who had a tumultuous coaching search that was delayed due to owner Jimmy Haslam insisting that any new head coach keep defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
Schwartz himself interviewed for the head coaching position, but the Browns ultimately hired former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken.
Meanwhile, Schwartz then left the organization after feeling snubbed in the head coaching search process.
On top of that, Monken is reportedly exploring the idea of naming disgraced quarterback Deshaun Watson as the team’s starter in 2026 ahead of polarizing young star Shedeur Sanders.
Watson, who is recovering from a torn achilles, returned to practice with the team in December, and “once he began practicing in December, some in the organization felt that he was the best quarterback on the field during that stretch,” according to reporter Mary Kay Cabot.