Fight Song: Lawsuit Reveals Reason Patriots Icon Willie McGinest Attacked Man at L.A. Restaurant
Remember back in December when that ugly video emerged of New England Patriots Hall of Famer Willie McGinest brutally beating a man in a Los Angeles restaurant?
Well now, thanks to the details of the man's lawsuit, we know the alleged genesis of the attack. Believe it or not, it was over ... USC?
TMZ is reporting that the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County earlier this month by victim Blake Adams claims the fight started after an innocuous question about McGinest's alma mater. Court documents reveal that Adams says he was eating at the West Hollywood restaurant Delilah on Dec. 9 when he saw McGinest walking past his table.
Adams claims he merely asked McGinest - a USC legend as well - about the Trojans' 47-24 loss to Utah in the Pac-12 Championship Game a week earlier.
"Why the f*** are you talking to me!" Adams alleges McGinest shouted at him.
According to the suit, McGinest walked away but then "suddenly reappeared" along with two men.
"McGinest leaned down," the suit says, "and stated in [Adams'] ear, 'Now what did you say bitch ass n****."
Adams claims he was simply "a fan trying to say Hello." But, seemingly unprovoked, McGinest punched Adams in the face before the men joined the one-sided "fight." At one point, the video shows McGinest hitting Adams in the head with what appeared to be a bottle.
Adams is suing McGinest for unspecified damages. He's also suing Delilah, claiming the lounge is known as a "playground for celebrities and professional athletes to do whatever they want with no consequence or repercussion."
In the wake of the video's release, McGinest issued an apology for his actions.
McGinest was arrested and has been charged with two felonies over the incident. He was removed from his role as an NFL Network analyst following the arrest, and is slated for arraignment in April.
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