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Chiefs center Rob Bruggeman assaulted in Des Moines

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Downtown Des Moines is not normally thought of as a place fraught with danger.

Reputations can be deceiving, though. Chiefs center Rob Bruggeman was punched in the face early Sunday morning in Des Moines by a man named Erwin Arturo Castro-Cortez. According to the Des Moines Register, police officers witnessed Castro-Cortez shove Bruggeman and then punch him in the face in what they say was an unprovoked assault. Castro-Cortez has been charged with assault causing bodily injury, disorderly conduct and public intoxication.

Bruggeman played at Iowa in college and broke into the NFL with the Buccaneers in 2009 as an undrafted free agent. He spent two seasons on the Falcons practice squad, but got cut by Atlanta at the end of last year’s training camp. He signed to Kansas City’s practice squad near the end of last season and is trying to win a spot on the 53-man roster this time around.

Bruggeman had a cut on his upper lip, but refused medical attention at the scene. Given the nature of life as an offensive lineman in the NFL, Bruggeman’s ability to take a punch might help him earn a role with the Chiefs this season.

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19 Responses to “Chiefs center Rob Bruggeman assaulted in Des Moines”
  1. geeeeemen says: Jun 11, 2012 10:08 AM

    Raiders just signed DT Erwin Arturo Castro-Cortez.

  2. larryboodry says: Jun 11, 2012 10:24 AM

    Much to the dismay of the Detroit Lions.

  3. seahulk9 says: Jun 11, 2012 10:37 AM

    he should know better than to be rollin through a hood like des moins.

  4. rjg427 says: Jun 11, 2012 10:40 AM

    wow what a name..does he hang out with the likes of BenJarvis Green-Ellis

  5. jredshoes says: Jun 11, 2012 10:41 AM

    Figures he’d sign with the Raiders since he was too drunk to know what he’s doing. Now he can discuss the play book with the other members of the Raiders Nation while in lockup

  6. cometkazie says: Jun 11, 2012 10:45 AM

    I think he showed admirable restraint in not whupping the guy.

    He really had nothing to win by giving the guy what he deserved.

  7. schmitty2 says: Jun 11, 2012 10:46 AM

    Bruggeman had a cut on his upper lip, but refused medical attention at the scene. Given the nature of life as an offensive lineman in the NFL, Bruggeman’s ability to take a punch might help him earn a role with the Chiefs this season.

    So taking a punch might help determine if you make the team or not? Am I missing something?

  8. trollhammer20 says: Jun 11, 2012 10:52 AM

    Punching an NFL offensive lineman. Wonder how high your BAC has to be to try that one.

  9. howiehandles says: Jun 11, 2012 10:58 AM

    Eh, you’d be surprised at how much Des Moines has changed in the past 5 years.

  10. thegreatgabbert says: Jun 11, 2012 11:14 AM

    Since Bruggeman didn’t have proper I.D. with him at the time of the incident and Arturo Castro-Cortez did, Rob was promptly deported to Belgium.

  11. jerrysandusky1 says: Jun 11, 2012 11:17 AM

    The bigger question is, what was Rob Bruggeman doing out at 2 am?

    Also, Erwin Arturo Castro-Cortez is 5’5, 135 Lbs. Not really a heavy weight.

  12. gripless says: Jun 11, 2012 11:20 AM

    I would like to build on what cometkazie says

    This guy should be given some praise and recognition for handling the situaitno. Probably could have dropped this clown but showing restraint, control and discipline might get him an extra look at making a team (schmitty2).

    I don’t know much about this player but given we rail on every stupid moves these guys make, he should be given some recognition for having a brain and control, something many lack~

  13. jerrysandusky1 says: Jun 11, 2012 11:41 AM

    We should be recognizing Mr. Castro-Cortez’s bravery.

  14. rgledz says: Jun 11, 2012 11:47 AM

    Des Moines is an absolute dump. The downtown area is horrible and the trailer parks surrounding it are worse. My son had a soccer tournament there and I’ll just say that our journey’s to the soccer complex were interesting as we drove past some of the finer garbage dumps and salvage yards on our way. Hell hole.

  15. bgarrett816 says: Jun 11, 2012 11:52 AM

    schmitty2 says: Jun 11, 2012 10:46 AM

    Bruggeman had a cut on his upper lip, but refused medical attention at the scene. Given the nature of life as an offensive lineman in the NFL, Bruggeman’s ability to take a punch might help him earn a role with the Chiefs this season.

    So taking a punch might help determine if you make the team or not? Am I missing something?

    You are missing something, sarcasm

  16. monsterscream says: Jun 11, 2012 12:20 PM

    this wont be the last time he’s cut this summer…

  17. granadafan says: Jun 11, 2012 1:54 PM

    Just because you’re big, doesn’t mean you know how to fight. Working at a bar thoughout college, I’ve seen my share of big guys who thought they were tough only to be dropped by smaller guys who had the cojones and, more importantly, the ability to fight.

  18. thejuddstir says: Jun 11, 2012 3:27 PM

    Assault charges ???? How come when the Taints pay money for a player to assault another player they aren’t “charged.” Or N. Suh stomping on another player or Titus Young, etc. etc. Let football players assault each other and it’s ok but let “joe blow public” shove a big burly football player and it becomes assault, LMAO

  19. pftcensorssuck says: Jun 11, 2012 6:45 PM

    jerrysandusky1 says:Jun 11, 2012 11:41 AM

    We should be recognizing Mr. Castro-Cortez’s bravery.
    ———————————————————
    Actually, we should be recognizing his alcohol intake.

    Dude is around 5’7″ at a buck thirty, and Bruggerman goes 6’4″ 295.

    No one sober hits that guy.

    Reports are a cop witnessed the shove, and when Bruggerman turned around, the weasel sucker-punched him, while intoxicated.

    Bruggerman showed great restraint. No doubt he wanted to snap the punk like a twig.

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