CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 19: Cleveland Browns safety Ronnie Hickman 33 leaves the field following the National Football League game between the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns on October 19, 2025, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH. Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA OCT 19 Dolphins at Browns EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251019123
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 19: Cleveland Browns safety Ronnie Hickman 33 leaves the field following the National Football League game between the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns on October 19, 2025, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH. Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA OCT 19 Dolphins at Browns EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon251019123
Feb 18, 2026, 7:19 AM CUT
Concerning Update on Ronnie Hickman as Browns' Safety Attacked Outside Hotel
Cleveland Browns safety Ronnie Hickman found himself in a dangerous situation on early Monday morning, February 16th, 2026.
As per the reports, the 24-year-old was attacked in the lobby of a New York City hotel on Allen Street at around 4:30 a.m.
Hickman was taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he was "treated for minor injuries at an area hospital after the incident," as told by a Browns Spokesperson. The NYPD responded to a 911 call from the hotel lobby, and the incident is still under investigation.
The authorities haven't released the suspects' identities or a clear motive. It’s also unclear whether the attackers targeted Hickman or if he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"Upon arrival, officers were informed that four unidentified individuals punched a 24-year-old male about the body following a verbal dispute," said the NYPD.
"The suspects fled the location in an unknown direction," they added. The investigation is ongoing as they search for the four suspects. The New York Post reported that the hotel staff declined to comment on the incident.
Ronnie Hickman's Journey with the Browns
Hickman played at Ohio State University and attended DePaul Catholic High School in Passaic, where he was a standout. The Browns signed him in 2023 after he went undrafted in the NFL draft that same year. He signed a three-year contract worth $2,715,000.
It had bout $220,000 in guaranteed money and a roughly $20,000 signing bonus. In the first two seasons, he did not play all games and totaled 43 solo tackles, 27 assists, 1 interception, and 1 fumble recovery in 24 games. Things were different in the 2025 season.
In the 2025-26 regular season, Ronnie Hickman started all 17 games for the Browns, recording career highs in tackles (103), pass deflections (7), and interceptions (2).
While Hickman is slated to become a free agent, he is expected to re-sign with the Browns for a projected contract of $7-8 million annually.
For more updates, follow the Cleveland Browns Community.
Written by
Reyansh Dubey
Edited by
Sagnik Bagchi