New England Patriots legend Willie McGinest is reportedly facing two felony charges following a December incident at an L.A. nightclub – with a maximum penalty of eight years in prison.

McGinest has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon and assault by means of force likely to cause great bodily injury, with each charge carrying a penalty of up to four years in prison, according to the Boston Globe.

The charges stem from a fight at a Los Angeles nightclub where McGinest was accused of striking a man in the head with a bottle. Footage of the fight was captured by security cameras, with TMZ later releasing video claiming to show the incident.

The 51-year-old was released on $30,000 bail shortly after turning himself in back in December. He is set to appear in court for an arraignment hearing on March 30, according to the Globe.

McGinest issued an apology for his behavior during the incident back in December.

“First and foremost, I want to offer my deepest apology for my lapse in judgment and behavior on December 9 at a restaurant in West Hollywood,” McGinest wrote in a statement. “To my family, community, friends, and youth I mentor, please know I feel horrible for my actions and take full responsibility.”

As a star linebacker, McGinest played 12 of his 15 NFL seasons in New England, winning three Super Bowls under Bill Belichick. After his playing days ended, McGinest went on to work as a TV analyst for NFL Network.

BRYCE YOUNG has no doubt he can stay healthy in the NFL, and C.J. Stroud believes he’ll move around just fine.

Yes, the two quarterbacks generally regarded as the best in this year’s draft class had a simple message for the critics – think again.

Young and Stroud took the main stage at the NFL’s annual scouting combine Friday morning going first and second at Podium 1 in the interview room. It’s a sequence that could be mirrored – or reversed – at the April 27 draft.

Doubters of the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner contend Young may be susceptible to injuries in the NFL and could struggle to replicate the success he had at Alabama because of his size. He was listed at 6-feet, 194 pounds at Alabama, though some thought he would be measured at 5-10 in Indianapolis.

Young responded quietly but bluntly that he’s always played well despite being on the smaller side and that he would be comfortable with a playing weight of 200 pounds.

Stroud, meanwhile, has been knocked because he didn’t run much at Ohio State. But in last season’s playoff semifinal against eventual national champion Georgia, Stroud took off more than usual and played perhaps the best game of his career with the Buckeyes.

At 6-3, 218 pounds, he may be the safer pick and Stroud suggested he also would be the better pick.

The other top quarterback prospects, including Will Levis of Kentucky and Anthony Richardson of Florida, and the full slate of receivers and tight ends were scheduled to meet with reporters later Friday.

WHILE THE BEST college players showcase their skills at this week’s annual scouting combine, the NFL launched a professional development program Friday to provide current and former players opportunities to prepare for their future after football.

NFL Career Tours gives players exclusive access to major organizations to learn about various career opportunities and network with industry leaders. Sixty men will participate in the program this month to gain behind-the-scenes experience in entertainment, sports business, and the music industry.

The NFL has partnered with the Fifth Season and Hidden Empire film groups, Nike, and Interscope Records.

The program kicks off next week in Los Angeles with 18 players, including Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith, going to work with Fifth Season and Hidden Empire to gain an all-access look into all facets of the entertainment industry, including acting, casting for roles, directing, financing, producing, and distributing movies.

“The opportunity to better myself outside football from a professional standpoint, I think it’s extremely important,” Smith said on the AP Pro Football Podcast.

A group of 16 players will be at Nike World Headquarters in Oregon on March 13-14 for a look at the sports business industry, including product development, marketing, and branding.

Sixteen others will go to Interscope Records in Los Angeles on March 20-21. They’ll learn all aspects of the music industry, including becoming an artist, managing an artist, promoting the music, operating a record label, and envisioning the money needed to be successful.

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