Ryan Moats Video Stirs Controversy, Gets Dallas Cop Disciplined

The Ryan Moats police encounter has stirred up an unimaginable amount of controversy, and with good reason. Moats, a running back with the Houston Texans, and his wife Tamishia Moats were pulled over by Dallas police offer Robert Powell in the parking lot of a hospital after running a red light.

The Moats were on their way to be with Tamishia's dying mother, and, despite their pleas to the officer, were delayed from entering the hospital for almost 15 minutes while Powell pulled his gun, threatened to take Moats to jail and tow his car, and warned "I can screw you over." Eventually, Powell told Moats to "shut your mouth," as Moats and his wife desperately tried to explain the seriousness of the situation.

You can hear all of this in the two videos after the jump.

And yes, that was just the first eight minutes of footage. There's another inexplicable six before Moats and his wife are even allowed to enter the hospital.

And throughout the following video you can tell that this officer deserved what he got when he was placed on administrative leave. Understandably, Moats felt the punishment should have been harsher, saying, "I think he should lose his job."

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

3-26-2009 @ 7:53PM

lazyindiankid4 said...

wow that policeman is a dumba**. I hope the player SUES his a** off

3-26-2009 @ 8:28PM

forddood said...

that cop is a criminal. he needs to get worked.

3-27-2009 @ 7:28PM

rob said...

What crime did the cop commit? Seems like the cop did his job pretty much by the book.

3-26-2009 @ 9:32PM

ttublu said...

First, I would express my sympathy to Moats family for their loss. It is always a difficult thing to deal with the loss of a loved one, especially a Mom. Having expressed those feelings, I have to say that I am absolutely disgusted by what I just witnessed. what a callous SOB that guy was. All he has to do, no, his DUTY was to park the vehicle, and escort that family into the hospital. PERIOD! To have hospitaql staff come and inform him that death is imminent, and then proceed in the manner that he did, is morally irreprehensible. The other officers at the scene are equally callous in that they are at the scene laughing and joking during a situation like this. Mr. Moats however, handles himself with an amount of dignity and restraint that I could never muster in that situation. I also find it telling that he did not at any time try to use his status as an NFL player to make the situation better for himself. I do not know him, never have heard of him, but I admire him for the way he handled himself in a very trying situation. I will be watching from afar to see how this situation is handled. God Bless you and your family Mr. Moats.

Bryan Bentley
Livonia, MI

3-26-2009 @ 9:33PM

gsanchez189 said...

I felt very bad for Ryan Moats. Condolences to him and his family members who lost a loved one. I hope this officer is fired.

3-30-2009 @ 2:02AM

jspratts0323 said...

WHY BECAUSE HE DID NOT SAY GOODBYE, GIVE ME A BREAK HE SHOULD OF DRIVEN LIKE A NORMAL PERSON NOT LIKE A MANIAC, SO THAT IS HIS PROBLEM NOT THE OFFICER.....................

3-26-2009 @ 9:34PM

Kamal said...

I am absolutely DISGUSTED by the behavior of this police officer. He should be fired for his attitude alone. Never mind the circumstances of the situation.

3-29-2009 @ 9:28PM

WHAT CIRCUMSTANCE THE OFFICER DID HIS JOB YOU ARE ONLY DEFENDING HIM BECAUSE HE DID NOT SEE THE OLD BAG WHO CARES ANYWAY SO MOVE ON, PPL DIE EVERYDAY SO GET OVER IT...................

3-30-2009 @ 9:26PM

J.S. said...

This Police Officer is indicative of most PO's being hired today.Attitude and hatred to minorities...of any kind. They have the Gun, the power and given authority to do what ever they want in the name of the law...These people seem to have no life...they think what they see on TV is what cops are supposed to do... They need to get real and get an education. Most of these cops are lucky to have graduated from High School. And that does't say too much.

3-26-2009 @ 9:39PM

Celeste said...

I do not feel safe having a police officer on the streets with that kind of mentality. He needs to be FIRED!!!!!!! I am so upset and appalled at his behavior. This made me sick to my stomach. I can not imagine knowing my mother was about to die and not being able to be by her side because some jerk cop wants to show who's boss ans abuse his authority!!

3-26-2009 @ 9:41PM

BlueStarDude said...

The behavior is unacceptable. No way he deserves to be a cop. I'll be writing my congressman.

3-26-2009 @ 9:52PM

checka624 said...

this is exactly why everyone hates cops. They do nothing but mess peoples lives up. The real heroes are the detectives and DEA and the Military servicemen. These cops are the scum of the earrh. pigs

3-26-2009 @ 10:15PM

hatrick said...

That's your typical hillbilly Texas cop...is intelligence a prerequisite for that job?

3-26-2009 @ 10:12PM

opie179 said...

My condolences to the family. traffic laws are there for a reason. As a paramedic, I have seen many people chase after an ambulance going to a hospital with family members. those people blew through red lights and were not following traffic laws. I have scene some bad accidents because of that, which were caused by the people following. He should of followed the traffic laws and pulled over for the officer.Then 1 person should of explained what was going on. When an officer sees multiple people jumping out of the car, it is a cause for concern. On the other foot now, the officer should changed his approach to the family, offering a different tone in his voice might of made things easier. My two cents.

3-27-2009 @ 12:16AM

Mr. Wright said...

Opie:
When Moats ran the red light, he had hazards on and stopped until another driver told him to go ahead. Even in breaking the law, he was safe about it. Your two cents is noted, but not exactly appropriate considering the case.

And how is more than one person getting out of a car a cause of additional concern?

3-26-2009 @ 10:18PM

hannigan said...

"To Protect and Serve" my a**.

3-27-2009 @ 12:06AM

YouFaceTheTick said...

1. You cannot run redlights.
2. The driver ran two stop signs ON VIDEO.

There is no reason for that. The cop did the right thing. You aren't allowed to break laws and endanger others because your mother is dying. The driver broke the law. End of story. There is no excuse.

3-27-2009 @ 11:53AM

7irish7 said...

I would have to agree totally. The cop did his job just fine. He saw a car running red lights, not stopping and then there were people running out of the car when they finally stopped. What is he to do...assume? Also, why did the driver keep arguing and arguing instead of doing what to be told immediately and he would have been out of there faster.

3-30-2009 @ 11:52AM

Monica Spriggs said...

Hope no one in your family ever dies and you not be there to say goodbye,I understand the violation committed. It must be nice to be such a heartless person but that seems like that's who you are. Karma's a bitch!!