Army CB's celebrity encounter ends w/ concussion

Posted by Tom Fornelli

This is likely going to be one of the strangest stories you hear involving a college football player this year. Army cornerback Richard King found himself in an altercation with singer Patti LaBelle's bodyguards at an airport in Houston, and wound up with a concussion. A scary situation for King, as he missed his entire junior season after suffering multiple concussions during his sophomore year.

Making matters worse for King, the punishment he has received from West Point for the incident is a year suspension from the football team, which ends his football career. Though that's not nearly as bad as the fact he's also being sent into active duty.

Here's the details of the story from HudsonValley.com:

King, who was home from spring break, filed a lawsuit this week, suing LaBelle, saying she ordered her bodyguards to beat him up as he waited for a ride home outside a terminal at Bush Intercontinental Airport. The lawsuit, which was obtained by the Associated Press, says LaBelle believed King was standing too close to her “(no doubt expensive) luggage, even though he was oblivious to her presence and the danger he was in.”

Check out the surveilliance video and be the judge. King is shown being pummeled by three bodyguards. It appears some pushing was involved before the altercation.

LaBelle’s limousine driver told Houston police King hit him after he asked King to back away from the limo that LaBelle was in. The driver and a bodyguard told police King appeared to be intoxicated. One of King’s lawyers admits King had a few drinks but denied he was intoxicated.

King answered, “No,” when he was asked by an ABC News reporter if he was drunk.

Here is the surveillance video mentioned in the article. The altercation begins around the 1:30 mark and takes place at the bottom of the video.

As you can clearly tell in the video, King did not appear to be okay after trying to get up after being knocked into a concrete pillar. Obviously, without audio, we can't really be clear what was going on in the video, though at the time the pushing and shoving started it looks like King is just talking on his cell phone. I know I didn't see the alleged punch King threw at the limo driver.

Still, you have to think that there was something more to this story than we saw or is being reported. After all, the Army has decided to punish King -- who it's said has suffered upwards of ten concussions -- into active duty. That would seem to be a rather harsh punishment for somebody who got beat up by three bodyguards.

Hat tip: CFT

Lucifer-Hawk Since: May 30, 2007	Posted on: June 8, 2011 2:46 pm Army CB's celebrity encounter ends w/ concussion I just called West Point to let them know how outraged I am You really think they care? [ Reply to Comment ]
Washington02 Since: Apr 9, 2007	Posted on: June 6, 2011 11:37 pm Army CB's celebrity encounter ends w/ concussion To West Point: I know you have higher standards, however, the video doesnt show anything that would warrant him getting kicked out of West Point. Patti Labelle you and your thugs are in huge trouble. The video shows you initiating the fight. To Mr. King: If the Army doesnt reinstate you claim concusion syndrome or that West Point breached their deal and get out of the Army if that is the way they are going to treat you. You will win the civil case against Labelle and her thugs easy [ Reply to Comment ]
happylier Since: Jun 6, 2011	Posted on: June 6, 2011 5:17 pm Army CB's celebrity encounter ends w/ concussion Any rational person can see this kid was talking on his cell the whole time. He was there fist before Labelle and her thugs came along and dropped her luggage. An airport traffic cop has stated that Labelle lowered her limo window just prior to this attack ( sic-em boys). Another video with more info is availabe at KHOU.com (Houston,tx). Search for the video with the term (patty labelle). I just called West Point to let them know how outraged I am. [ Reply to Comment ]
Lucifer-Hawk Since: May 30, 2007	Posted on: June 6, 2011 4:29 pm Army CB's celebrity encounter ends w/ concussion my point is you are only going by what Cadet King's LAWYERS said were the reason for the attack, since the video has no audio we can't hear what was said before hand, it may have nothing to do with the luggage, or it might. as far as getting special treatment? di you watch the video closely? that SUV was parked at the curb LONGER that Ms. Labelles limo in fact her linmo was actually double parked waiting for a spot to open up (i assume) that was in front of the SUV. So you point about her getting special consideration there is just crap! how would you know what her shows are like i bet you've never been to one and only seen them on t.v but that is neither here nor there. Also the airport was also named in the lawsuit as well as the taxi dispatcher. just an FYI I would bet any kind of settlement he gets won't be as large as you may think. since this all happened almost 3 months ago and no criminal charges were ever filed, one would think this whole lawsuit idea was brought forth by the lawyers and is prob not even cadet King's idea to begin with again just my opinion. BUT YEAH YOU GO AHEAD AND CONTINUE TO BOYCOTT I'm pretty sure she's not gonna lose a ton of money over this and none of her tour dates have been cancelled so far. BTW she makes a damn good BBQ sauce, lmao! [ Reply to Comment ]
Rett2go Since: Feb 9, 2011	Posted on: June 6, 2011 2:20 pm Army CB's celebrity encounter ends w/ concussion Looks like another case of Class-ism. A rich "celeb" can get away with nearly anything just by posing for some pictures. That security officer or policeman, whatever he is should lose his job. And what is Patty LaBelle should be ashamed. She can be seen smiling. About what? Regardless of what started the situation the outcome was 3 people in her employ gave 1 young man a concussion. [ Reply to Comment ]
Durax Since: Aug 8, 2008	Posted on: June 6, 2011 6:04 am Army CB's celebrity encounter ends w/ concussion It seems as though everyvody knows the whole story. I 'm pretty sure the "punishment" he received from West Point had more to do with him being intoxicated, than him getting knocked out The Army's standards are different than civilian courts. They expect him not to get involved at all. Where does it say that he has been drinking or is drunk? The real point here is that the luggage was not in any danger the bodyguards overeacted and he did not swing for any of them. Plus why the hell was the policeman posing for photos when he should have been investigating what had happened? [ Reply to Comment ]
Gregb511 Since: Jun 4, 2011	Posted on: June 5, 2011 9:42 pm Army CB's celebrity encounter ends w/ concussion If Patti LABELLE was so worried about her luggage maybe she should have ordered her thugs to load it into the stretch limo ratter than jump a West Point cadet who was standing where he has a right to stand waiting for his ride. Most airports don't allow cars to sit for very long at curbs because of terrorism. Why was Patti LABELLE treated differently than anyone else?? She ad her thugs should go to jail but hopefully she can pay the cadet a huge settlement. Yes his attorneys will get a share. Patti Labelles past achievements have nothing to do with her now....she is washed up. Go to her show and she will spend the majority of time talking not singing. She was more stage persona than singing talent anyway....wagging her hands and screeching her voice up the scale...that was the claim to fame...somewhere over the rainbow. I urge people to not support anyone who bullies others. Bye Bye Patti. You are a grade 1 BITCH. And you mister are delusional. [ Reply to Comment ]
Lucifer-Hawk Since: May 30, 2007	Posted on: June 5, 2011 9:15 pm Army CB's celebrity encounter ends w/ concussion Be funny as hell when they try that BS on someone who won't put up with that crap. Wouldn't want to stand to the bitches luggage, oh wait I thinik I will and wait for them to try that with me put thee beers down and back away, all three of those guys were probably over 300lbs and would squash you like a grape. don't let your beer muscles talk you into an ass kicking [ Reply to Comment ]
mcw2107 Since: Jun 5, 2011	Posted on: June 5, 2011 7:50 pm Army CB's celebrity encounter ends w/ concussion Be funny as hell when they try that BS on someone who won't put up with that crap. Wouldn't want to stand to the bitches luggage, oh wait I thinik I will and wait for them to try that with me [ Reply to Comment ]
Lucifer-Hawk Since: May 30, 2007	Posted on: June 5, 2011 6:47 pm Army CB's celebrity encounter ends w/ concussion Obviously PATTI LABELLE thinks she is QUEEN of the PLANET and she and herTHUGS are above the law. She is a washed up entertainer with NO CLASS. Hopefully the young man will get a huge monetary settlement. The rest of us can make sure if this has-been lack of talent witch comes to town to let people know BOYCOTT PATTI LABELLE live shows and television shows and e mail anyone who sponsors anything she might do in the future. She pretty much can only get booked in rinky dink Indian casinos and small theaters. Make sure she doesn't get work. If you have been to her shows she spends most of the time talking rather than performing. She is a waste of money. BOYCOTT PATTI LABELLE!!! I like the way you just jump to conclusions, just becasue King's lawyers said it happened one way doesn't mean it did. (FYI the lawyers are looking for a fat paycheck) as far as Ms Labelle being washed up?? you obviously have no idea who she is, she's no fly by night like Britney Spears. Her career spand FOUR DECADES! with multiple hit records and a couple of Grammy's to boot. I'm pretty sure she could make more money in one celebrity guest appearance on any show than any of us could make in a year. "Has been lack of talent"? Lmao that's a funny one. the point here is Cadet King was obviously tipsy, not fall down drunk; but impaired atill the same. what's funny is most of you only see what YOU WNAT TO SEE, I'm not saying he should have been assaulted but we don't have all the facts that led up to the "beating". I'm pretty sure the "punishment" he received from West Point had more to do with him being intoxicated, than him getting knocked out but you go ahead and "BOYCOTT PATTI LABELLE" good luck with that, lmao [ Reply to Comment ]

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