Cleveland Browns Safety Attacked in NYC Hotel Lobby

NYPD searching for suspects after assault on NFL player Ronnie Hickman

Feb. 17, 2026 at 5:15am

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Ronnie Hickman, a safety for the Cleveland Browns, was attacked by four people in the lobby of a luxury hotel on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The incident occurred around 4:30 a.m., when the group recognized Hickman and started punching him after he apparently did not acknowledge them. The suspects then fled the scene, and police are currently searching for them.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the potential risks and challenges professional athletes can face when out in public, even in high-end hotel settings. It also raises questions about security measures at luxury hotels and whether more needs to be done to protect guests, especially high-profile individuals.

The details

According to police, Hickman was in the lobby of the SIXTY LES hotel on Allen Street when he was approached by a group of four people who recognized him. When Hickman apparently did not acknowledge the group, they started punching him. The suspects then fled the scene, and Hickman was taken to Bellevue Hospital to be checked out. He is a 24-year-old safety who played at Ohio State University and attended DePaul Catholic High School in Passaic, New Jersey, where he was a standout player.

  • The incident occurred around 4:30 a.m. on February 16, 2026.

The players

Ronnie Hickman

A 24-year-old safety for the Cleveland Browns who played at Ohio State University and attended DePaul Catholic High School in Passaic, New Jersey, where he was a standout player.

SIXTY LES hotel

A luxury hotel located on the Lower East Side of Manhattan where the incident took place.

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What’s next

The NYPD is currently searching for the four suspects who fled the scene after the attack on Ronnie Hickman.

The takeaway

This case underscores the need for heightened security measures at luxury hotels to protect high-profile guests, as well as the broader issue of public safety for professional athletes and other celebrities when they are out in public.