Teen sentenced in ex-NFL player attack

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) - A teen arrested in connection with the assault of a former NFL linebacker has been sentenced to five years in prison. 

Jalen Riddick, one of the four teens arrested in connection with an attack that left Ed Beard with a black eye, a concussion and bruises, was charged with malicious wounding and malicious assault by mob.

A judge initially sentenced Riddick to 20 years on both charges, but suspended 35 pending good behavior.

Beard, who was a linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers, suffered a concussion when he was attacked at the intersection of Freeman Avenue and Varsity Drive Oct. 23, 2011.

Beard, 71, was attempting to break up a fight on an elementary school baseball field when he was attacked.

In 2011, Chesapeake police spokeswoman Kelly O'Sullivan said about 15-20 young men surrounded Beard during the attack.

Beard, a former 49er starred at Oscar F. Smith High School and played linebacker and on special teams for San Francisco from 1965 to 1972. The football stadium at his high school now bears his name.

Riddick was the first of the defendants to receive a sentence.