Published: Wed, June 30, 2010

Updated: Thu, July 1, 2010

Used courtesy of Austin Police Department

Former Texas standout and current Cincinnati Bengals Running Back Cedric Benson was arrested Tuesday morning and charged with a misdemeanor for assault. It was reported that the former Texas standout allegedly punched a bar employee in the face over a month ago.

This news comes soon after former Texas star Quarterback, and Benson’s former teammate, Vince Young punched a man in a Dallas strip club a few weeks ago.

Benson was booked into the Travis County Jail where he later posted bail and was released. According to Austin police, Benson was at Annie’s West bar on Sixth Street when he got into an altercation with an unknown man. Benson later punched a bar employee before being escorted out of the bar.

According Benson’s attorney Sam Bassett, his client did not cause the fight and denies any claims that have been made.

“Mr. Benson has always been willing to cooperate with the Austin Police Department to tell his version of what happened so long as he could have a lawyer present,” Bassett said. “The Austin Police Department decided to go forward with obtaining a warrant without obtaining Mr. Benson’s side of the story.”

This is the latest in a string of incidents that Benson has been involved in and could ultimately result in a suspension from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

While attending college at the University of Texas, he was arrested for criminal trespassing. After being selected as the number 5th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, Benson’s poor play and underachieving attitude sent him out of Chicago in 2008. That same year, Benson was arrested twice on alcohol related charges that were later dropped.

Last year Benson was able to revive his career after signing as a free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals and rushing for a career-high 1,251 yards and six touchdowns in 2009.

Bengals players have had plenty of run-ins with the law in the past few years and many around the league have questioned Coach Marvin Lewis’s ability to keep his team disciplined. This is just another blow to a team hoping to keep away from distractions and make the playoffs for a second straight year.

Let’s hope that Benson’s side of the story is the correct one. If not, Benson could run out of second chances.