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More problems Underwood fined, loses driver's license in speeding case
Posted: Tuesday May 02, 2000 01:22 AM
FINCASTLE, Va. (AP) -- Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dimitrius Underwood, who has battled personal problems since being drafted by Minnesota in 1998, has been fined and had his driver's license suspended for driving 95 mph. A state trooper clocked Underwood on March 19 exceeding the speed limit while driving southbound on Interstate 81 near Buchanan. Nine days earlier, Underwood had signed with the Cowboys and he told the trooper he was headed to Dallas. General District Judge L.K. Campbell convicted Underwood in absentia last Wednesday, finding him guilty of reckless driving by speeding. Campbell imposed a $350 fine plus $40 court costs and suspended Underwood's license for 12 months. Underwood, whose driver's license listed his address as Lansing, Mich., has until May 8 to pay the fine or his license will be suspended indefinitely. Commonwealth's Attorney Joel Branscom said it's not unusual for out-of-state drivers to fail to return for court hearings and to be convicted in their absence. Most people pay the fines, he said. Underwood, who is attending the Cowboys' minicamp, could not be reached for comment. The 6-foot-6, 280-pound defensive end was hurt his senior year at Michigan State, but showed enough potential for Minnesota to draft him 29th overall. He left camp a day after signing a five-year, $5.03 million contract and was missing for several days. Because of his departure he sacrificed a $1.75 million signing bonus. The Vikings put him on waivers because he said he wasn't interested in football; instead, he was torn between a desire to pursue the ministry and the need to support his children. But when the Miami Dolphins claimed him on waivers, Underwood decided to give it another go, only to hurt his shoulder in his first exhibition game. Three weeks later, Underwood was found bleeding from the neck on a street in Lansing. Police said he used two steak knives to cut his throat at the home of his girlfriend and their young twins. He then spent two months in protective care. In December, Underwood committed himself to a mental health center, then jumped a fence hours later and fled, police said. The Dolphins released him the next week.
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