Former Patriot Willie McGinest arrested in Los Angeles

Ale Xander

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What a horrible 24 hours for Patriots fans.

Big Willie Style is one of all time favorites
 

NortheasternPJ

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what in the bloody hell?? who just strolls in all casual to what looks like a nice place to go whomp someone?? How did any of them ever think this was going to be ok???
I met Willie once and he seemed like the nicest guy, he also was enormous. My roommate in college was 6'5" and 240lbs and looked like Drago, some how next to Willie he looked like a child.

I don't understand how a 51 year old guy who's set for life, I don't remember him ever getting in any trouble, has a public gig on the NFLN that seems like the easiest thing in the world just rolls up on some guy at a club and beats the shit out of him on camera.
 

uncannymanny

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what in the bloody hell?? who just strolls in all casual to what looks like a nice place to go whomp someone?? How did any of them ever think this was going to be ok???
The camera is on night vision so these numb nuts probably thought it was too dark to be identified, despite like every camera having NV in 2022.

Edit: I guess it could be b+w but at that resolution I don’t think so.
 

grsharky7

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If you played football at the highest level, especially on the defensive side of the ball, you're going to have a big time aggressive streak. I'm not condoning what Willie did, but I've seen fairly mild mannered D1 players get aggressive very quick in off the field situations. These guys are trained to react quickly and violently on the field and that can be hard to turn off (again not saying it's right).
 

Marciano490

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If you played football at the highest level, especially on the defensive side of the ball, you're going to have a big time aggressive streak. I'm not condoning what Willie did, but I've seen fairly mild mannered D1 players get aggressive very quick in off the field situations. These guys are trained to react quickly and violently on the field and that can be hard to turn off (again not saying it's right).
But that’s not what happened here. This looked premeditated. The walked up to a guy calmly as a group and started beating him within seconds with no apparent provocation. Maybe we’ll find out he ran over Willie’s dog or punched his grandma, but for now this isn’t about getting aggressive or reacting quickly and violently. He was part of a beat down.
 

Ralphwiggum

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Completely not shocked to hear this.
Like, do you have some information about Willie as a person that makes you not shocked? Or is it just that NFL players seem to get involved in this kind of stuff way too often?

I've never met the dude and obviously you never know with any public figure, but I'm not aware of any prior incidents that would have made me think he would do something like this.
 

The Mort Report

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Like, do you have some information about Willie as a person that makes you not shocked? Or is it just that NFL players seem to get involved in this kind of stuff way too often?

I've never met the dude and obviously you never know with any public figure, but I'm not aware of any prior incidents that would have made me think he would do something like this.
It only happens with NFL players “more often” because they are public figures, and wether you want to believe it or not, their race, that gets TMZ clicks. There are so many other industries where this is worse, like bouncers.
 

Arroyoyo

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Meh I just know - I've seen the proof first-hand - who he is when the cameras are off. He's not the darling, stand-up guy most Pats fans think that he is. Nothing criminal, just general douchebaggery from the past several years that I won't share here. But I could say the same for probably 3-4 other prominent sports figures inside and outside of Boston. Just not surprised to see people surprised to find out he's a douche.
 

moretsyndrome

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Meh I just know - I've seen the proof first-hand - who he is when the cameras are off. He's not the darling, stand-up guy most Pats fans think that he is. Nothing criminal, just general douchebaggery from the past several years that I won't share here. But I could say the same for probably 3-4 other prominent sports figures inside and outside of Boston. Just not surprised to see people surprised to find out he's a douche.
General douchebaggery is, like, taking up two spots with your car or not tipping. This seems to be a little worse.
 

Ralphwiggum

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It only happens with NFL players “more often” because they are public figures, and wether you want to believe it or not, their race, that gets TMZ clicks. There are so many other industries where this is worse, like bouncers.
Fair enough, I more meant that it's hard to be surprised when this kind of thing happens. You think you know people based on their public persona, but obviously there are a million examples where you find out you really don't. I was wondering whether the poster had some actual first hand knowledge to share, or was just generalizing.
 

NortheasternPJ

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Meh I just know - I've seen the proof first-hand - who he is when the cameras are off. He's not the darling, stand-up guy most Pats fans think that he is. Nothing criminal, just general douchebaggery from the past several years that I won't share here. But I could say the same for probably 3-4 other prominent sports figures inside and outside of Boston. Just not surprised to see people surprised to find out he's a douche.
Can You provide any context? At a bar, club, behind the scenes on NFL Network, he’s a neighbor? Itd be helpful to see what context of douchebaggery.
 

54thMA

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Meh I just know - I've seen the proof first-hand - who he is when the cameras are off. He's not the darling, stand-up guy most Pats fans think that he is. Nothing criminal, just general douchebaggery from the past several years that I won't share here. But I could say the same for probably 3-4 other prominent sports figures inside and outside of Boston. Just not surprised to see people surprised to find out he's a douche.
Really?

Hmm.......ok then.

An ex girlfriend of mine used to manage a restaurant/club at Marina Bay in Quincy, Willie used to come in all the time, met him several times, one of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet. Her Father owned a restaurant as well that Willie ate at all the time, again ran into him a number of times at the restaurant and again, one of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet.

No fucking clue what you are yammering about; would love to know what your "proof first-hand who he is when the cameras are off" that you seem to possess as the cameras weren't rolling at either place where I used to run into him.

Oh wait; you said "the past several years"................I was referring to when he was a player on the Patriots, so maybe he became the douchebag you claim he is AFTER he retired.
 

Vinho Tinto

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Arroyoyo can keep his insight. I just watched a video where Willie appears to hit a guy who is completely bundled, by my count, 7 times with a wine bottle. I don't need to know anything else about him.
 

The Mort Report

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Fair enough, I more meant that it's hard to be surprised when this kind of thing happens. You think you know people based on their public persona, but obviously there are a million examples where you find out you really don't. I was wondering whether the poster had some actual first hand knowledge to share, or was just generalizing.
Sorry, I didn’t mean to word that like I did, I completely agree with you, and was trying to build on your post. I just did a piss poor job of it
 

Arroyoyo

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Really?

Hmm.......ok then.

An ex girlfriend of mine used to manage a restaurant/club at Marina Bay in Quincy, Willie used to come in all the time, met him several times, one of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet. Her Father owned a restaurant as well that Willie ate at all the time, again ran into him a number of times at the restaurant and again, one of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet.

No fucking clue what you are yammering about; would love to know what your "proof first-hand who he is when the cameras are off" that you seem to possess as the cameras weren't rolling at either place where I used to run into him.

Oh wait; you said "the past several years"................I was referring to when he was a player on the Patriots, so maybe he became the douchebag you claim he is AFTER he retired.
Yeah, it was from the last several years.

I'm not trying to be a prick, I really just can't say anymore (and I'm not doing that to tease anyone, just take my word for it). Like I said: nothing criminal, just very sleezy and douchey. Things that make you realize someone you once idolized has some gross character flaws.
 

Ralphwiggum

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Yeah, it was from the last several years.

I'm not trying to be a prick, I really just can't say anymore (and I'm not doing that to tease anyone, just take my word for it). Like I said: nothing criminal, just very sleezy and douchey. Things that make you realize someone you once idolized has some gross character flaws.
There's a huge gap between sleazy and douchey and what that video showed. I've been big timed a few times by athletes and other public figures and in the moment it sucks but then you realize they deal with this shit all of the time and aren't always going to be gracious to fans who want some of their time. None of the people who have acted that way towards me ever did anything like what Willie did there. And even though they were sleazy and douchey to me I would still never think they would be capable of something like that.
 

Cellar-Door

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Not sure why people are surprised, Willie was also pretty credibly accused of sexual assault and false imprisonment before his career (though acquitted they also admitted to lying to police during the trial)

Edit- beyond his history, also, former football players aren't known for sound decision making or emotional stability, the very nature of the game has long been of one that destroys the body and brain.
 
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InstaFace

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Arroyoyo can keep his insight. I just watched a video where Willie appears to hit a guy who is completely bundled, by my count, 7 times with a wine bottle. I don't need to know anything else about him.
Yeah this is where I'm at. Barring a very limited universe of possibilities, my likely conclusion in short order will be "fuck him, I hope they throw the book at him and he rots in jail for a good long while"

A real shame, he was a great player, but it's a little mind-boggling how someone in that position could think he'd just waltz in there and get away with that level of gangland-style brazen assault. The guy could easily have been killed, might well be permanently disfigured or disabled as it is.
 

54thMA

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Yeah, it was from the last several years.

I'm not trying to be a prick, I really just can't say anymore (and I'm not doing that to tease anyone, just take my word for it). Like I said: nothing criminal, just very sleezy and douchey. Things that make you realize someone you once idolized has some gross character flaws.
My experiences with him differ greatly from yours to say the least; no one is right or wrong.

That video is beyond disturbing, there was no back and forth, just an all out assault, no clue what instigated that or what the back story is, but wow is that terrible.
 

Andy Merchant

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Holy crap, saw this on the Boston news. My first thought was "what kind of idiot would screw with Willie McGinest?", but video of a big dude like that hitting someone with a bottle is frightening. Baffled as to why would someone financially set and with a nice TV gig would go there, CTE maybe?
 

cornwalls@6

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That had all the look of a vendetta over something. Where they knew where he would be, and just went in and kicked the living shit out of him. Just mayhem. Hard to imagine any set of circumstances that even mitigates this. What a shame. Always loved his game, and seemingly big leadership presence in the locker room.
 

Ralphwiggum

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I don’t think anyone is saying that Arroyoyo’s insights would lead to any kind of different reaction to that video, which is beyond disturbing. It was more surprise at seeing this from Willie, and wanting to understand what he knew that made it not a surprise to him.

@Cellar-Door shared information above that I was not aware of, which is what I was asking about.
 

DJnVa

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I'm Willie's age. I cannot even fathom something going on in my life that would lead me to that kind of situation. I don't understand that world.
 

djbayko

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For a bunch of reasons, I'm sure it's not him, but that guy looks a lot like Ezekiel Elliott.

I agree this looks obviously premeditated. I'm guessing he disrespected someone in Willie's crew somehow. Alcohol + keeping it real.
 

BigSoxFan

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This really bums me out. Willie was one of my favorite players and now he has a real chance of facing jail time because of some stupid beef.
 

Mr. Wednesday

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Oh wait; you said "the past several years"................I was referring to when he was a player on the Patriots, so maybe he became the douchebag you claim he is AFTER he retired.
CTE being what it is, it wouldn't necessarily be ridiculous for him to become a different person after retirement.
 

BaseballJones

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I don't know anything about this besides what I've just read here and seen in this video. I'll say this. The dude that got beat up is one tough mother. He got absolutely pounded by multiple huge guys and at the end doesn't even really look any worse for wear. No wonder they went in with a bunch of them.

What a crazy messed up situation.

And we know Willie has, at least with the Pats, the reputation of being the team enforcer, so obviously he's the type that's willing to be very physical with people if he sees the need for it. No clue what was going on here but I guess it doesn't totally surprise me?
 

Cabin Mirror

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I don't know anything about this besides what I've just read here and seen in this video. I'll say this. The dude that got beat up is one tough mother. He got absolutely pounded by multiple huge guys and at the end doesn't even really look any worse for wear. No wonder they went in with a bunch of them.
It's crazy - he just wipes his face with a towel and seems to possibly be cracking jokes with someone. I am pretty sure I would not be walking after taking that kind of beating.
 

Zedia

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For a bunch of reasons, I'm sure it's not him, but that guy looks a lot like Ezekiel Elliott.
Ha, I thought that too. Whoever it was, he was immediately like "oh shit" when he saw Willie.

In the past few days I've seen this and a couple crazy brawls on reddit and one thing I can conclude is that most people don't know how to punch/fight.
 

RG33

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Honestly, the worst part of this for me is knowing that he is a 51 year old millionaire. Getting into a bar brawl, beating this dude up — dumb enough, regardless of what this other guy did or said (which I don’t think has been reported) — but how the fuck do you make this decision at his age and status. Douchebag or not, just reckless and fucking stupid. Grabbing the bottle is weaksauce too.
 

luckiestman

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Hey Willie the giant hit a smaller man seated in a booth and had to get saved by his pals because I'm pretty sure that guy was going to beat Willie's ass. LMFAO, that is so embarrassing and I hope Willie goes to the penitentiary.
 

Rovin Romine

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I don't know anything about this besides what I've just read here and seen in this video. I'll say this. The dude that got beat up is one tough mother. He got absolutely pounded by multiple huge guys and at the end doesn't even really look any worse for wear. No wonder they went in with a bunch of them.
My first thought as well.

And yes, this looks absolutely premeditated - insofar as planning a confrontation with a group v. one guy. And, given that Willie swung as the guy was starting to stand up, it's just as easy to believe that the intent behind that group confrontation was to batter the man.
 

Shelterdog

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Hey Willie the giant hit a smaller man seated in a booth and had to get saved by his pals because I'm pretty sure that guy was going to beat Willie's ass. LMFAO, that is so embarrassing and I hope Willie goes to the penitentiary.
The evidence of the little guy getting ready to best willies ass is limited at best.
 

BigSoxFan

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My first thought as well.

And yes, this looks absolutely premeditated - insofar as planning a confrontation with a group v. one guy. And, given that Willie swung as the guy was starting to stand up, it's just as easy to believe that the intent behind that group confrontation was to batter the man.
Based on your legal experience, is there any way Willie avoids jail time with this pretty cut and dry video out there?
 

NDame616

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Based on your legal experience, is there any way Willie avoids jail time with this pretty cut and dry video out there?
Yes he pays off the guy who he beat up and he refuses to testify and his very expensive lawyers make it go away with 100 hours of community service and anger management classes