A former ESPN journalist calls out the mayor for downplaying a dangerous assault in Washington Square Park
NFL Reporter Rips Mayor Mamdani for Dismissing Snowball Attack on Police
When New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani described a mob pelting uniformed NYPD officers with snowballs as something that looked like a “snowball fight,” at least one prominent voice from outside the political world refused to let it slide. Ed Werder, a veteran NFL reporter and former ESPN journalist, took to social media to condemn both the attack and the mayor’s framing of it, drawing widespread attention to a moment that many law enforcement advocates found deeply troubling.
The incident occurred in Washington Square Park during the historic February 2026 blizzard that blanketed New York City. Officers responding to a 911 call about a large, disorderly group were surrounded and pelted with snow and ice. Video footage circulated widely on social media showed officers being struck repeatedly. Some were left with multiple facial lacerations. No arrests were made in the immediate aftermath.
What the Mayor Said — and What He Did Not
Mayor Mamdani addressed the incident on social media, writing that city workers including officers had been “out in a historic blizzard, keeping New Yorkers safe” and urging New Yorkers to treat them with respect. “If anyone’s catching a snowball, it’s me,” he wrote. Critics argued that the statement failed to acknowledge the seriousness of the attack or call for accountability. The mayor did not use words like “assault,” did not announce any investigation, and offered no indication that those responsible would face consequences.
Werder, whose social media post went viral, did not mince words. “How anyone who wears a badge stands beside this mayor, much less risks their life for him, is beyond me,” he wrote. When some critics questioned his right to weigh in, Werder was equally direct: “Doesn’t matter where you live. Treating the police with such disrespect is wrong.”
The SBA Responds: This Was Not Harmless Play
The Sergeants Benevolent Association, the union representing NYPD sergeants, was unequivocal in its condemnation. SBA President Vincent Vallelong issued a formal statement calling the behavior “reckless and unlawful” and warning that those who threw the snowballs — many believed to be NYU students — had crossed a “clear line.” The SBA noted that the deliberate targeting of officers responding to a lawful call constitutes assault regardless of the projectile used. Vallelong wrote that while some may try to frame the incident as “college hijinks or harmless kids throwing snowballs,” the consequences for the officers were real and serious.
That framing was itself challenged when the NYPD released photos of the suspected attackers — who did not appear to be children. The mayor had referred to the attackers as “kids” in early comments, a characterization that drew immediate pushback from police advocates and elected officials.
The Broader Question of Police Respect
The episode arrives at a politically charged moment. Mamdani’s administration has staked out a progressive public safety agenda, including the creation of a new Department of Community Safety designed to handle non-criminal 911 calls without police involvement. Supporters argue this represents a smarter, less confrontational approach to urban governance. Critics contend it signals a devaluing of traditional law enforcement that makes incidents like the Washington Square Park attack more likely to go without serious consequences.
The tension between community policing reform and officer respect is not unique to New York City. Across the country, police unions and reform advocates have clashed over how cities respond when officers are targeted — and whether political leaders send clear signals that such targeting will not be tolerated. Police Executive Research Forum has documented the complex dynamics between department morale and mayoral messaging, noting that how a mayor responds to attacks on officers often shapes culture within departments for years.
The NYC Police Benevolent Association has repeatedly clashed with progressive mayors over what it characterizes as insufficient backup from City Hall in moments of crisis. The Washington Square Park snowball attack is likely to become a reference point in that ongoing debate.
What Accountability Looks Like
Civil liberties advocates and policing researchers acknowledge a distinction between snowball fights and targeted attacks on officers. Brennan Center for Justice research on policing and public accountability emphasizes that clear, proportional responses to misconduct — whether by officers or against them — are essential to maintaining public trust from all sides. The key question is whether the Mamdani administration will pursue charges against those responsible, even as it seeks to reframe the city’s relationship with public safety.
As of publication, no arrests had been announced in connection with the Washington Square Park attack. The NYPD confirmed it was reviewing the videos. The mayor’s office did not respond to questions about whether the administration planned to press for criminal charges.
Werder’s willingness to inject himself into a New York political fight from outside the media world reflects just how far this story traveled — and how much the intersection of celebrity, law enforcement, and progressive governance can ignite national conversation. Whether it leads to policy consequences or fades with the next news cycle remains to be seen. What it has already done is force a conversation about what language a mayor uses — and whether “snowball fight” is an adequate response when police officers end up with facial lacerations.
Readers can review NYPD official reporting and draw their own conclusions about whether the city’s response to this incident was sufficient.
