Tennessee Titans rookie David Howard pleads no contest to misdemeanor assault count in RI

Titans rookie pleads no contest to RI assault

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — David Howard, a Brown University defensive lineman drafted in the spring by the Tennessee Titans, has pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor assault charge in Rhode Island.

Howard was accused in April 2009 of punching and kicking a customer at a bar where he was working as a bouncer. He entered the plea Monday to a charge of simple assault.

Howard’s lawyer, Mark Smith, said Tuesday that the plea does not constitute a conviction and that the charge will be expunged from Howard’s record if he stays out of trouble for a year.

Smith says Howard wanted to get the case behind him and move on with his life.

The Titans selected Howard in the seventh round.