Former Argo files $14-million suit against Peel police

A man who claims he was badly beaten two years ago during a drug arrest has launched a $14-million lawsuit against Peel Regional Police.

Orlando Bowen, 30, a former player for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, was ultimately cleared of the charges by a judge, who said testimony from the arresting officers was "not worthy of belief."

Bowen says he now suffers headaches and other pain that have cost him his career in pro football.

He also says he has reluctantly concluded race was a factor in the alleged attack.

"I've been raised to not make excuses and not pull the race card – that this is happening because I'm black – but going back over what transpired that night, there are really no other reasons," he said.

Peel police officials say they are aware of the litigation but aren't commenting.