Former NFL star Robert Nkemdiche found himself in hot water last month after an alleged grocery theft incident captured on police bodycam footage. The former Arizona Cardinals first-round pick, who raked in nearly $5 million during his NFL tenure, faced Union City Police officers in Georgia around 10:45 p.m. on February 25.
Nkemdiche was accused of stashing stolen items from a local Kroger store in his pants. The bodycam footage, obtained by the New York Post, shows officers uncovering candy bars, frozen meals, and cartons of almond milk, which Nkemdiche reportedly discarded before police arrived.
The officers didn't hold back in their critique of the former defensive tackle. "Look, man.
We're not going to play these games. Because I've run into you too many times.
And you keep lying," one officer said to a handcuffed Nkemdiche.
Despite Nkemdiche's protests of innocence, the officer remained firm. "Yes the f*** you did," the officer retorted. "Stop lying to me."
One officer mentioned it was her "third time" dealing with Nkemdiche, highlighting a pattern of behavior. According to the incident report, an officer noticed Nkemdiche with "many large objects, square and rectangular shapes, consistent with concealed grocery items, inside his sweatpants."
Backup was called as Nkemdiche entered a nearby gas station, leading to his arrest. Although the store opted not to press charges, he was detained due to "multiple warrants across multiple states."
This isn't Nkemdiche's first brush with the law. Back in 2015, he faced marijuana possession charges after falling from a hotel’s fourth floor during his college days at Ole Miss. At the time, he issued an apology, acknowledging his mistake and the poor environment he had placed himself in.
After his stint with the Cardinals ended in 2018, Nkemdiche had brief periods with the Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks, and the San Francisco 49ers. More recently, he signed with the Michigan Panthers of the USFL and the Edmonton Elks of the CFL.