An escalated argument with another man is costing Dante Fowler dearly almost five years later. The Dallas Cowboys pro has now also been punished by a civil court.

Munich – Only a few days ago, Dante Fowler signed a one-year contract worth three million US dollars with the Dallas Cowboys. Financially, it was a steep decline, as the three-season contract he signed with the Atlanta Falcons in 2020 was still worth 45 million US dollars. But it vanished into thin air when he was released in February.

At least the defensive end has an income for the next few months, because he is facing a hefty fine.

As the Dallas Morning News reports, Fowler was ordered to pay 280,000 US dollars by a civil court in Florida. 150,000 US dollars of this was awarded to the plaintiff on top of the actual damages – as a deterrent measure.

Fowler hits man and steps on his glasses

The verdict relates to an incident in July 2017 when the third pick of the 2015 draft had knocked down a then 55-year-old man in a car park in St Petersburg, US – Fowler’s birthplace – and then stepped on his glasses. On top of that, he had thrown the man’s shopping bag, which allegedly contained alcohol, into a nearby lake.

Even then, Fowler had been sentenced to 75 hours of community service, one year of probation and a fine in the low four figures. A short time later, he publicly apologised for his behaviour. The NFL subsequently suspended him for one game in 2018.

Victim suffers torn rotator cuff in shoulder, among other injuries

That year, the victim instigated the civil action. The man stated that he suffered a rotator cuff tear in his shoulder and other injuries, in addition to aggravating cervical blisters. The argument reportedly broke out at the time because the 55-year-old had complained about Fowler’s driving style.

At the time, the pass rusher had initially left the scene before the victim had called the police. Two hours later he had returned and been arrested. During the night, he was released on bail of 650 US dollars.

However, Fowler was far from getting away with it.