New York Jets

Police: Former Jets player charged with child cruelty after punching 15-year-old

Published Feb. 23, 2017 11:06 p.m. ET

Nunzio Ingrassia

Former New York Jets defensive lineman Scott Mersereau was charged with child cruelty after punching a teen he thought egged his house, police said Thursday.

Mersereau was arrested in Boca Raton, Fla., on Saturday, a day after he accused a 15-year-old of throwing eggs at his home, according to the police report. The teen told Mersereau, 51, that he didn’t egg his home, and witnesses told police that Mersereau grabbed the boy, pushed him and punched him twice.

The officer who responded to the incident said Mersereau was intoxicated and became belligerent. He was arrested and posted $3,000 bail the next day.

Mersereau, who played for the Jets from 1987 to 1993, finished his career with 19 sacks and might be best remembered for a collision that left teammate Dennis Byrd paralyzed.