Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard has experienced racial discrimination.  Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

Witness confirms Darius Leonard was racially profiled at Chipotle

Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard experienced something this week that many African-American men, women, and children face every day — racial discrimination. 

Leonard says he was kicked out of a South Carolina Chipotle restaurant this week following a dispute, according to ESPN, and he discussed the incident on "First Take" on Friday.

The 24-year-old Leonard also addressed the matter via Instagram on Thursday and said he was dining at the restaurant with his family and friends, all of who aren't white, when a manager ordered them to leave the premises, stating a white customer claimed they were being verbally abusive.

The allegation made by the customer was a lie, Leonard states, and he also noted he, his family, and friends did nothing wrong.

A witness, who spoke anonymously to TMZ, confirmed that Leonard never talked to the other patron who complained that he and his family were being abusive. After leaving the restaurant, Leonard even went back inside to peacefully explain to the manager why he believed the situation was unfair and racially motivated.

Leonard says the Chipotle manager who addressed him had a terrible attitude and threatened to call the police if Leonard's group didn't leave. The manager's attitude changed once he found out Leonard was an NFL star, and Leonard admitted that was discouraging, too.

Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol has reportedly suspended the manager while the company investigates the incident, noting that the restaurant chain has a zero-tolerance policy for any kind of discrimination.

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