Former Miami Dolphins and University of Kansas football player Steve Towle pleaded guilty to a felony assault charge in Jackson County on Wednesday.
In September, Towle attacked a man in Independence after he and another man got into an altercation on 291 highway in Independence. Rudy Babbit allegedly cut Towle off in traffic and Towle responded by doing the same to Babbit. The two men then pulled over on the side of the highway and began arguing.
According to witnesses, Towle punched Babbit in the face. He fell to the ground and hit his head on the pavement. The blow was severe enough to require an extended stay in the hospital. Babbit was placed on a ventilator and according to his mother Babbit cannot use his right hand or speak clearly.
Towle was given a suspended sentence for the plea and will be required to complete five years of probation. He will also have to pay the family $125,000.