Browns Safety Ronnie Hickman Assaulted in New York Hotel

Four unidentified men attacked the 24-year-old player in a hotel lobby after a verbal dispute.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Cleveland Browns safety Ronnie Hickman was assaulted by four unidentified men in a New York hotel lobby early Monday morning. Hickman, 24, suffered minor injuries but was treated and released. The suspects fled the scene and no arrests have been made as the investigation continues, according to the New York Police Department.

Why it matters

Player safety and security is a major concern for the NFL, especially when incidents occur off the field. This attack on Hickman raises questions about hotel security and whether more needs to be done to protect players when they are traveling.

The details

According to police, officers responded to a 911 call at 4:35 a.m. on Monday reporting an assault in a hotel lobby. Upon arrival, they were informed that four unidentified individuals punched Hickman about the body following a verbal dispute. The suspects then fled the location in an unknown direction.

  • The incident occurred at around 4:35 a.m. on Monday, February 17, 2026.

The players

Ronnie Hickman

A 24-year-old safety for the Cleveland Browns who has played 41 games over three NFL seasons, recording 173 tackles, three interceptions and one fumble recovery.

New York Police Department

The law enforcement agency that responded to the 911 call and is investigating the assault on Ronnie Hickman.

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What they’re saying

“Upon arrival, officers were informed that four unidentified individuals punched a 24-year-old male about the body following a verbal dispute.”

— New York Police Department (wbal.com)

What’s next

The New York Police Department continues to investigate the assault and search for the four suspects who fled the scene.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for increased security measures to protect professional athletes, especially when they are traveling and away from their home stadiums. The NFL and hotel industry must work together to ensure player safety at all times.