Patriots LB Details Strange Experience Where He Was Harassed by Police Because of His Race

Patriots linebacker Elandon Roberts had to get out of his car with his hands up in the air.

“This is my house,”  Roberts told the deputy from the Fort Bend County (Texas) Sheriff’s Department. 

Watch Cop Pull Over Patriots LB Elandon Roberts In Front Of His Own House For Being A Big Black Man; Lies To Dispatcher About Roberts Not Complying (Video) https://t.co/n2vIx3LILw via @BasketballguruD pic.twitter.com/0Cj2cnSTCw

— Robert Littal (@BSO) July 11, 2019

WATCH: Patriots linebacker Elandon Roberts was stopped at his Texas home in March for allegedly speeding (citation wasn’t pursued). He’s filed a complaint against the officer, could pursue future action.
https://t.co/Wo3goxc1lz

— A.J. Perez (@byajperez) July 11, 2019

Deputy Adam Watkins told Roberts to get back into his car, and the linebacker did that.

Police officers stopped Roberts in the Houston suburb of Richmond of March 10 for a basic speeding infraction.

“Unfortunately, these types of things are happening all too often to African Americans,” Roberts said in a statement. “People are becoming desensitized to them. Being harassed in your own yard simply because you are a ‘big black man’ should never become the norm. To the person being harassed, it is frightening, disrespectful and embarrassing.

“I have no interest in any financial gain from releasing this story. My only hope is that these types of bias-based traffic stops can end and that, perhaps, other black drivers might see how to deescalate a threatening situation.” 

Roberts filed a complaint 10 days after the incident. He wrote that he “felt so harassed I couldn’t even remember where my insurance paper was in my car.”

A department official wrote that this complaint wasn’t sustained, and the problem was closed.

Roberts’ attorney, Jennine Hovell-Cox said she has requested that the Fort Bend County District Attorney open an investigation into the problem. 

“My office directed her to contact the Internal Affairs Division at the Sheriff’s Department,” Fort Bend County District Attorney Brian M. Middleton revealed in an email. “If Mr. Roberts files a formal complaint, the matter will be investigated and possibly referred to the Texas Rangers for an independent investigation.”

Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Department wasn’t available for comments.

“As a son, husband, and father, I share the concerns and fear of many,” said Kennard McGuire, Roberts’ agent. “We shouldn’t have to move in fear of those with the privilege and honor to protect and serve.”

Roberts followed the instructions he was given and pleaded with Watkins.

“Can we talk like men?” Roberts said.

Watkins has a different version of the incident.

“I haven’t even begun the traffic stop,” he said. “The big black man who was driving got out of the car. I told him to get back in. He wouldn’t comply. I had to yell at him pretty hard to comply.”

“The citation was never processed by the sheriff’s department and sent for filing with the court,” said Hovell-Cox, Robert’s attorney. “We believe that once the dashcam footage was seen by Deputy Watkins’ supervisors and realizing who Elandon is, a decision was made to halt everything. Elandon started receiving phone calls from the sheriff’s office a few hours after the ‘stop,’ apologizing and telling him that the ticket was being ‘dismissed.’ ”