Ex-college football star Otis Anderson Jr. killed by his father in Florida over dog bite, police say
Former college football standout Otis Anderson Jr., who had a brief NFL career, was fatally shot by his father Monday night in Florida, according to police.
Anderson Jr., 23, was at his Jacksonville home with his mother, Denise, and his father, Otis Sr., when an argument broke out, local ABC affiliate WJXX reported.
Police said Otis Jr.’s girlfriend’s dog bit Otis Sr., kicking off the heated exchange, according to WJXX. All three family members were yelling before Otis Jr. went upstairs to cool off, according to the cops.
Otis Anderson Jr. prepares for a game against Tulsa on Oct. 3, 2020. (Phelan M. Ebenhack/)
Investigators said Otis Sr. then flipped a large chair while arguing with Denise, and Otis Jr. came back downstairs to check on his mother, local news station WJXT reported. Denise recounted the incident to police.
Cops said the argument escalated until Otis Sr. shot his son in the chest and back, according to WJXT. The bullets also grazed Denise, who was hospitalized and released Tuesday, police said. Otis Jr. died at the scene.
Otis Sr., 52, was arrested and taken to Duval County Jail, where he sits charged with murder and attempted murder, according to online jail records.
The Rams are saddened by the tragic and sudden loss of Otis Anderson Jr. Our sincere condolences are with his family during this very difficult time.
Rest In Peace, Otis. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/riYTep6VLw— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) November 30, 2021
Otis Jr. was a star at the University of Central Florida, totaling more than 3,000 yards from 2017-2020 as UCF became a powerhouse. He went undrafted in 2021 and signed with the Los Angeles Rams as a free agent. He was released in September.
“Rest in Heaven Otis,” Jalen Ramsey, his teammate on the Rams, wrote Tuesday. “We gotta do better on this earth smh. Big prayers up.”
Anderson was not related to 14-year NFL vet Ottis Anderson, part of the Giants Super Bowl XXV championship team.
