Omaha Mayor John Ewing Jr. and Police Chief Todd Schmaderer issued a statement early Sunday following a traffic stop involving Terrence “Bud” Crawford, the undisputed super middleweight champion. The stop happened just hours after Crawford was celebrated at a city parade earlier this month.
Police stopped Crawford’s car around 1:30 a.m. on suspicion of reckless driving. A social media video shows Crawford exiting the vehicle with his hands raised, while one passenger declares, “I’m not going to reach for the gun.” Officers saw a firearm on the driver’s side floorboard and ordered all four people out of the vehicle at gunpoint. A legally owned gun was found with a member of Crawford’s security team. After confirming Crawford was the driver and verifying that all passengers were legally allowed to carry firearms, Crawford was cited for reckless driving.
Mayor Ewing and Chief Schmaderer announced an internal review of the incident. Ewing emphasized the importance of trust between police and the community, expressing his commitment to transparency with the investigation’s outcome. He also reflected on the contrasting emotions from the day, which began with a joyous parade celebrating Omaha’s boxing champions and ended with this troubling incident. He stressed the importance of ensuring that every resident feels safe and respected.
Crawford, who recently secured the undisputed super middleweight title by defeating Canelo Alvarez via unanimous decision, had moved up two weight classes for that fight and was considered an underdog. Besides the parade, Crawford was also honored by leading Nebraska onto the field before a September 20 game against Michigan.
Fan Take: This incident highlights ongoing challenges athletes can face even after major successes, underscoring the importance of fair and respectful law enforcement interactions. For fighting fans, it serves as a reminder that champions like Crawford represent not only skill in the ring but also resilience outside of it, shaping the sport’s culture and community impact.
