NFL's list of troubles keeps growing
Posted: Monday November 02, 1998 04:56 PM
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Raiders coach Jon Gruden was charged with DUI in October Otto Greule Jr./Allsport |
ATLANTA (CNN/SI) -- Kerry
Collins’ arrest for driving while intoxicated is just the latest in a
string of alcohol and drug-related problems to tarnish the NFL’s image.
“I think it happens as much with professional ballplayers as it does with
the general population -- maybe a little more,” says Ann Hayes, the chief
executive officer of Strang Hayes Consulting, Inc., a New York City firm
that helps professional sports team set up and monitor programs to help
deal with problems concerning alcohol and drugs. “A lot of these guys never
had any money, and they get into professional sports and they go crazy.”
Collins’ problem comes after the release of a book that says 21 percent of
the NFL’s players have committed serious crimes. Hayes does not have
statistics to back up the book’s claims, but does admit the problem is real
-- and needs to be dealt with by the league and its owners.
“If there’s a crisis, then they react. If not, then nobody reacts,” Hayes
said. “Nobody’s pro-active in this.”
Among the other recent incidents that have rocked the NFL:
- St. Louis Rams linebacker Leonard Little has been
charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with an auto accident
that killed a 47-year-old St. Louis woman. Police say Little’s
blood-alcohol content at the time of the October 19 crash was .19, almost
twice the legal limit.
- Oakland Raider coach Jon Gruden was charged with driving while
intoxicated after a game on October 11. He faces arraignment on the charged
November 6 and possible disciplinary action from the NFL.
- Denver Broncos defensive back Darrius Johnson is
scheduled to stand trial March 2 on a drunken driving charge. He was
stopped and charged for an incident during last summer's training camp.
- Tremain Mack, a Cincinnati Bengals
rookie, was charged October 13 with drunken driving, resisting arrest and
driving without a license. He is still on probation from a drunken driving
conviction last October. He could face a jail sentence or punishment by the
NFL.
- Former New York
Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor was arrested October 19 on crack
cocaine charges for the second time in three years. Taylor contends police
set him up in this latest case. He checked into a drug rehabilitation
center a week later.
- Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Tony Martin is under
investigation by federal authorities, who suspect he might have laundered
drug profits for a longtime friend and convicted drug dealer.
- Former New York Jets
defensive end Mark Gastineau agreed to a plea bargain that will help him
avoid jail time when he goes into drug, alcohol and violence counseling.
The deal came after he was charged with assaulting his wife, Patricia
Schorr, last fall.
- Washington Redskins running back Terry Allen spent five days
in jail this summer for trying to outrun Atlanta police in his Ferrari
while legally drunk. He was clocked at 133 mph in a 55 mph zone.
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