CHARLOTTE, N.C — Carolina Panthers linebacker Jon Beason is suing the man who said the NFL player punched him outside a North Carolina strip club.

The Charlotte Observer reported Wednesday that the new lawsuit says Beason suffered injury to his reputation, humiliation and mental distress resulting from the allegations of 29-year-old Gregory Frye.

Frye told police Beason punched him in the face while the two were at Charlotte's Uptown Cabaret in November. Frye also sued Beason for more than $10,000 in damages

Prosecutors dropped a misdemeanor assault charge against Beason in December after failing to find witnesses who saw him throw a punch. Prosecutors said witnesses saw the two argue and bump chests as Beason tried to leave the club, but Beason didn't throw a punch.

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Information from: The Charlotte Observer, http://www.charlotteobserver.com