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Rams linebacker claims self-defense in fight with NBA player

St Louis Rams v San Francisco 49ers

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers is hits hard by Jo-Lonn Dunbar #58 of the St. Louis Ram during the first quarter of their NFL football game at Candlestick Park on November 11, 2012 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

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Rams linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar will soon be delivering hits, but he’s claiming self-defense in an incident with an NBA player outside a South Beach nightclub.

According to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Dunbar was actually only charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct and breach of peace, not battery as was mentioned in an earlier report of the incident.

According to the police report, Dunbar said he was defending himself, after an altercation with former Sacramento Kings player Donte Greene and Greene’s brother.

One of the officers responding to the incident said he was concerned for Dunbar’s safety, and after warning Greene, hit him with a taser for “approximately 6-7 seconds.”

That ended the fight, but Greene said Dunbar was assaulting his brother.

“I’m sorry, officer, but this guy has been after me for years since I got into the NBA,” Greene said in the report. “He was beating my brother and I had to do what I did.”

Dunbar got off on the wrong foot last year, as he was suspended for four games for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing substances. This arrest will merit review by the league as well, but so far the Rams haven’t commented on the incident.

At the very least, it’s a reminder of why coaches are so glad the offseason is nearly over.