Despite legal troubles, Michael Bennett's book scheduled for Wednesday release

Former Seahawks' defensive lineman Michael Bennett's new book, "Things that make White People Uncomfortable" is scheduled for release Wednesday.

The release date comes less than two weeks after a grand jury in Harris County indicted the 32-year-old member of the Philadelphia Eagles on a felony account of injury to the elderly as he tried to get onto the field at last year's Super Bowl to celebrate with his brother.

An arrest warrant was issued on March 23, and Bennett surrendered to authorities in Houston on March 26.

Officials say Bennett was a spectator at the game at NRG Stadium in Houston in February 2017 when he tried to get onto the field immediately afterward to see his brother, Martellus Bennett, a tight end for the Patriots at the time.

Prosecutors allege he pushed through security personnel, including a 66-year-old woman in a wheelchair who was a stadium employee and who had told him to use a different entrance to access the field. Bennett is also accused of pushing two other people, including another woman, and ignoring a request by a police officer to stop as he made his way onto the field.

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Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said Bennett allegedly told the people he had pushed, "You all must know who I am and I can own this (expletive). I'm going down to the field, whether you like it or not."

In response to the allegations, Bennett's co-author David Zirin, said on Twitter, "This is such an utter sham, an attack on an outspoken political athlete curiously timed 14 months later with his signing with a new team and release of a book."

The charge of injury to the elderly can be filed if a person intentionally or knowingly causes injury to a person 65 or older. It carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. County authorities say they're talking with Bennett's legal team about surrendering on the charge.

In June, Bennett explained his book -- and its title -- this way: " “I think the title is a just a title to start a conversation so people want to read. I think the book I’m focusing on is issues that I see that are important in America, and that are my view.”

The Eagles acquired Bennett from the Seattle Seahawks, where he became one of the dominant defensive linemen in the game. Bennett had 8 ½ sacks last season and has 54 in his nine-year career. Bennett has three years remaining on his contract, with a base salary of just $1.65 million in 2018. That number jumps to $6 million in 2019 and $7.5 million in 2020.

Cox Media Group