LeSean McCoy suspect in Philly cop assaults

PHILADELPHIA – Former Eagles running back LeSean "Shady" McCoy is a suspect in a Super Bowl Sunday brawl that seriously injured two off-duty Philadelphia cops, authorities say.

Police have identified four suspects only as "members of the National Football League." However, a source close to the investigation said McCoy was among the suspects, according to the Associated Press.

McCoy's current team, the Buffalo Bills, acknowledged he had been linked to the incident in published reports.

"We are aware of the reports regarding LeSean McCoy and in the process of gathering more information," said the Bills, who acquired McCoy in a trade last year. "We will not provide any further comment at this time."

Philadelphia Police said the 2:45 a.m. brawl involved two officers, both 40, and four men ages 26 to 30.

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The fight began with "pushing and shoving" over ownership of a bottle of champagne at the Recess Lounge, a members-only club on South Second Street in the Old City area, police said in a statement. The four suspects assaulted one officer and knocked him to the ground.

"While on the ground he was punched, kicked and stomped about his body and head multiple times by all four suspects," police said.

The second officer and security guards then broke up the attack "and all parties were ejected from the club," the statement said.

The first officer to be struck received hospital treatment for a broken nose, broken ribs, a sprained thumb and a laceration to his right eye. The second officer received eight stitches over his left eye "and is currently receiving treatment for a possible skull fracture."

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Police said the officers and the club's security guards identified the suspects through photographs.

Authorities did not say if any suspects had been contacted, but noted an investigation is ongoing. No criminal charges have been announced.

McCoy, the Eagles' all-time leading rusher, was a second-round selection in the 2009 draft. The running back went to the Bills last March in a controversial trade for linebacker Kiko Alonso.

Published reports have identified another suspect as former San Diego Chargers running back Curtis Brinkley. He played with the Chargers from 2010 through 2012.

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The two athletes had not addressed the issue on their Twitter accounts by Tuesday morning.

A website for the Recess Lounge describes the club as Philadelphia's "most private and exclusive nightclub venue" and  "an environment that allows you to escape the perils of today’s problems."

This story will be updated.

Jim Walsh; (856) 486-2646; jwalsh@gannettnj.com