Only hours after being honored with a Key to the City, pound-for-pound boxing king Terence “Bud” Crawford found himself staring down police firearms in his hometown of Omaha during a late-night traffic stop.
Earlier that Saturday, Crawford basked in the glory of a celebration parade marking his historic September 13 victory over Canelo Alvarez. That triumph saw the Omaha native become boxing’s first-ever three-weight undisputed champion, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest fighters of all time.
The city of Omaha rolled out the red carpet: thousands lined the streets, a commemorative belt was presented, and Mayor John Ewing awarded Crawford with a symbolic Key to the City. Ever quick-witted, Crawford quipped at the ceremony:
“What does it unlock?”
Hours later, the answer became painfully clear — not a free pass with the Omaha Police Department.
Traffic Stop Turns Dramatic: Police Draw Firearms
According to a statement from the Omaha Police Department (OPD), the incident unfolded around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 28. Officers reported observing a vehicle “driving recklessly” in the downtown area before initiating a stop near Cass Street.
The shock was immediate when footage of the incident surfaced online. Despite being the man Omaha had celebrated just hours earlier, Crawford and his passengers were ordered out of the car at gunpoint after police spotted a firearm on the driver’s floorboard.
The OPD confirmed that they cited Crawford for reckless driving. Crucially, they noted that all occupants, including a member of Crawford’s security team carrying a second firearm, were legally permitted to possess the weapons. A supervisor and lieutenant responded at Crawford’s request, but the surreal optics of the situation quickly sparked public outcry.
Backlash Begins: ‘Little Discretion and Common Sense’
Respected trainer Stephen “Breadman” Edwards voiced what many were thinking when he took to social media with a stinging rebuke:
“Are you telling me that those officers didn’t recognize the man they shut the city down for hours earlier? Who happens to be the most popular athlete in their city? Just a little discretion and common sense, my goodness.”
The juxtaposition could hardly have been more striking — Omaha’s most beloved sporting son honored in daylight, yet treated like an armed threat by night.
Internal Review Ordered: Safety Versus Bias
In response to the backlash, Omaha Mayor Ewing and Police Chief Todd Schmaderer confirmed that an internal affairs investigation has been launched to review the stop and the conduct of the officers involved.
The OPD’s official statement emphasized officer safety, citing the visible firearm as justification for their actions. Still, the imagery of Crawford — fresh from making boxing history — forced to stand at gunpoint in his own city has left many questioning whether bias, poor judgment, or lack of recognition played a role.
Terence Crawford finds out his Key to the City of Omaha doesn’t unlock every door.#CrawfordArrest #boxing #terencecrawford #Omaha pic.twitter.com/Q8jM4ooBhs
— World Boxing News (@WorldBoxingNews) September 28, 2025
Key to the City—But No Immunity
For Crawford, the irony couldn’t be sharper. The Key to the City he held aloft just hours earlier offered him no protection when his car was pulled over. The celebratory question, “What does it unlock?” suddenly carried an uncomfortable punchline: clearly not freedom from aggressive policing.
As the internal review unfolds, Crawford continues to ride the wave of his unprecedented achievement — becoming undisputed at super lightweight, welterweight, and super middleweight, and potentially at middleweight in the future. Yet this weekend’s incident serves as a sobering reminder that even history-makers aren’t immune to tense encounters with law enforcement.
About the Author
Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights. [View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.