NFL centers Maurkice and Mike Pouncey accused of assault at Miami Beach night club

Updated at 6:15 p.m.

Former Florida Gators centers Maurkice Pouncey and Mike Pouncey have been accused of assaulting two club patrons early Saturday morning.

However, according to at least one club-goer who was a witness to the alleged assault, neither player appeared to be involved. Additionally, ProFootballTalk.com cited a source Saturday evening, reporting that “preliminary evidence indicates the Pounceys were not involved in the alleged assault.”

Just before 5 a.m., Ricky Vasquez – in attendance at Cameo in Miami Beach, Florida, during a promoted birthday party specifically for the twins – claimed on Twitter that he “got jumped by 4 bouncers and the Pouncey Twins” and planned to press charges.

According to the Broward-Palm Beach New Times, Miami Beach Police Sgt. Bobby Hernandez confirmed that “an incident occurred” at the club “where an alleged assault took place.” Police have “not confirmed it’s the Pouncey brothers that are the subjects” but will be investigating the incident and press charges as needed.

Radio host Andy Slater of WINZ 940 AM in Miami chimed in on Twitter during the afternoon on Saturday, stating that a witness has since come forward to declare that the incident “did not involve Mike or Maurkice Pouncey” as the assault occurred “in the VIP section next to theirs.”

In a number of Twitter posts and Instagram videos, some of which have since been deleted (but not before being transcribed by the New Times), Vasquez explained the incident through tears and appeared to allege that the assault may have been motivated by his sexual preference.

“I feel like I just got gay bashed,” he tweeted.

“I didn’t know that stuff like this actually [expletive deleted] happens to people,” he said in an Instagram video. “All I can remember is standing in a crowded club and this big guy keeps hitting me in my back. I look at him and I’m like, OK, he’s obviously turned up. And he just keeps hitting me. I ignore it. I keep ignoring the guy – he’s calling me a ‘faggot.’ I realize that there’s two of the guys. Now they’re both in my face. The next thing I know, Honey tries to break it up. One of them punches Honey in the face, the other one punches me or the same one, I don’t know. Security comes.”

“Honey” took to her Instagram account, posting a picture of her bruised face next to one of Maurkice Pouncey. The image had the following caption:

Went inside @Cameomia 10 minutes just to be punched in my face by Marquise [sic] Pouncey for trying to stop him and his brother mike from beating the [expletive deleted] out of my friend @irickyvasquez. Filed a report even though the Police said nothing probably will be done about this situation. These athletes get on all these [expletive deleted] drugs and act an ass knowing they will be protected by these clubs because of how much money they spend in their clubs but I’m not gonna let this [expletive deleted] rest. I’m a female and I won’t Stand for no man putting their hands on me.

As also pointed out by the New Times, Cameo is the same club where the Pouncey brothers were photographed wearing “Free Hernandez” hats shortly after former Florida tight end Aaron Hernandez was arrested for the murder of Odin Lloyd last year.

Maurkice Pouncey quickly apologized for wearing the hat, while Mike Pouncey refused to issue a statement or discuss the subject when approached by the media.

The last year has been especially tough for Mike Pouncey due to a number of self-inflicted issues that put him in a negative light.

In addition to the Hernandez hat fiasco, Mike Pouncey was named by NFL investigators as one of the primary participants in the bullying of Miami Dolphins teammate Jonathan Martin, for which he showed no remorse.

He was also subpoenaed after a game at New England during the 2013 season due to some of his connections with Hernandez. He was forced to miss Miami practice later that season to fly to Massachussets and meet with investigators.

Three weeks ago, Mike Pouncey was diagnosed with a torn labrum in his hip, an injury that will sideline him for three months. He will miss the entire preseason and likely four 2014 regular-season contests as he is expected to be out all of September.

This all came after the Dolphins picked up a fifth-year option that will pay the former first-round draft pick $7.4 million in 2015.

One month ago on June 12, Maurkice Pouncey signed a five-year, $44 million contract extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers, making him the highest-paid center in the NFL.

OnlyGators.com will update this story as more information is made available.