Walker Brown, the MMA-trained man who allegedly put a vicious beating on OU wide receiver Spencer Jones, is seeking help for medical and legal bills as fallout from a viral video grows.
A GoFundMe set up for Brown on Monday has already raised $28,960 of its $50,000 goal at the time of his writing. According to the organizer, the money will go to cover a surgery and time off from work Brown said he needs after the fight in a Norman, Okla., bar that sent Jones into a four-hour surgery and reportedly almost cost him his left eye.
“I feel awkward doing this because I want to work and pay my own bills, but I am realizing that may be difficult for a little bit,” Brown wrote. “I will say that YES, there was something that occurred prior to the start of the video as my nose doesn’t bleed for no reason.”
In a statement posted on Wednesday to the online fundraiser, Brown attorney Steve Stice wrote the viral video does not show the “original assault and battery suffered by Mr. Walker at the hands of Mr. Jones and his friend” and cites Brown’s bloodied nose before the fight broke out.
“Mr. Walker was legally justified in defending himself in this matter,” Stice wrote. “As a result, Mr. Walker received several injuries including a torn bicep which will require surgery. We will not make any further comment until the conclusion of the investigation by the authorities.”
Jones’ attorney Woodrow “Woody” Glass said in a separate statement the football player was acting as a “peacekeeper” and tried to de-escalate the situation, but “despite his best efforts, and he became the victim of this vicious assault” in the restroom of the Logie’s on the Corner in Norman.
Police are investigating two counts of assault and battery reported three days after the fight on Feb. 16. All parties have been identified in the case and no arrests have been made, per Norman police spokesperson Sarah Jensen. The charges each carry a potential sentence of 90 days in county jail and up to a $1,000 fine.
Brown’s brother, Braden Brown, identified he and his brother as the men in the video who fought Jones and another man involved in the fight. He said the football player and the man “gave us no options” and added they showed “restraint.”
The video shows Jones and Walker Brown in a confrontation in front of bathroom stalls. Jones pushes Brown, who wipes his nose before throwing punches that appear to connect before he slams the football player to the ground. He quickly takes Jones’ back and tries a choke as one onlooker gives a drunken play-by-play. At the same time, Braden Brown clinches up with Jones’ friend and takes him to the ground, where he lands several unanswered punches.
Walker and Braden Brown train at The Colosseum Wrestling and MMA, which is owned by their father, Tommy Brown, who confirmed the GoFundMe drive and declined further comment until permitted by their attorney. Braden Brown told MMA Fighting he had amateur fighting experience, though he, his brother and father’s fight records could not be found on any major MMA databases.
The bar where the fight took place is less than one mile from the Oklahoma Memorial Stadium where the Sooners play. Jones, a redshirt senior, appeared in 11 games in 2020. His timeline for recovery is unknown.
Here is Walker Brown’s full statement:
“Hi everyone. I am the guy in the bathroom fight video. I have laughed with the funny comments about my cowboy boots and cauliflower ear. I have not commented because there is an on-going investigation. I have been advised to get an attorney. I am also facing a surgery from an injury I received while defending myself and will be looking at some unplanned medical bills and time off of work recovering from the surgery. I am a full-time student who works two jobs.
“First, I would like to thank you all for the generous support that I have received from all over the country. It is overwhelming in a good way! Strangers have even offered to help me cover the costs of defending myself and so I have set up this account for anyone who would like to contribute. I feel awkward doing this because I want to work and pay my own bills, but I am realizing that may be difficult for a little bit. I will say that YES, there was something that occurred prior to the start of the video as my nose doesn’t bleed for no reason. After I hire an attorney, I will make a statement so you will know my side of the story. Thank you again for all of the support.”