The All-Arrest Fantasy Football Team
With the NFL season just around the corner, fantasy football players are studying up for the draft. While most players are preparing to attempt to break records, there are some athletes who are looking to avoid another kind of record—criminal records.
Star players such as Ray Rice and Aldon Smith have already faced criminal charges this year. Let’s take a look at some of the other players who would be drafted to an all-arrest fantasy football team.
QB Michael Vick (New York Jets)
In 2007, Vick was charged with trespassing for fishing on a private lake in Virginia. However, that was the least of his troubles. Later that year, the then-Atlanta Falcons quarterback plead guilty to promoting dogfighting. He was sentenced to 23 months in prison and resumed his football career upon his release.1
Dogfighting is a felony in California under California Penal Code Section 597.5. You could be charged with dogfighting if you do any of the following:
- Own, possess, keep or train any dog with the intent to engage the dog in an exhibition of fighting with another dog;
- Cause any dog to fight or injure another dog for amusement or gain;
- Permit any of these acts to occur on your premises, or aid or abet the act.
If you are convicted of dogfighting in California, you could face up to three years in prison and fines of up to $50,000.2
RB Ray Rice (Baltimore Ravens)
Rice is usually a top pick in fantasy drafts, but the Ravens superstar will be sitting out the first two games due to a suspension. Earlier this year, Rice was arrested after he allegedly hit then-fiancée Jay Palmer in Atlantic City. The running back plead not guilty to aggravated assault and will avoid jail time by entering a pretrial intervention program or accepting a plea deal.3
In California, domestic violence is a severe crime. If you are convicted of domestic violence under California Penal Code Section 273.5, you could face up to one year in jail for a misdemeanor or up to four years in jail for a felony.
WR Justin Blackmon (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Blackmon will show up on draft boards, but you’d be smart to refrain from drafting him. Despite his talent, Blackmon has shown a knack for getting in trouble. He was arrested earlier this year for marijuana possession, marking the third time he’s been arrested overall.
In 2010, the wide receiver was arrested on a DUI charge after he was reportedly seen speeding outside of Dallas. He was arrested on DUI charges again in 2012 after failing a breath test in Oklahoma. Blackmon is currently serving an indefinite suspension from the NFL.4
A first-time DUI in California is punishable by up to six months in jail under California Vehicle Code 23152a and CVC 23152b. Studies show a first-offense DUI could cost you up to $16,000 in fines, fees and other financial setbacks, which is a hefty sum even for an NFL player.5
WR Dez Bryant (Dallas Cowboys)
Cowboys star Dez Bryant was accused of hitting his mother and arrested after an incident in 2012. Bryant reportedly became upset when his mother asked him to leave her home. An argument allegedly ensued, and Bryant struck her.
Bryant was arrested by police responding to his mother’s 911 call. He was charged with misdemeanor family violence, which is considered domestic violence in California. Charges were dropped when he agreed to attend anger management counseling and not be arrested for any other crime for a year.6
TE Fred Davis (Washington Redskins)
If fantasy teams got points for players arrested, Davis would be a top pick. In 2010 alone, he was arrested three times after the following incidents:
- Going 52 mph in 35-mph zone and driving with a suspended license;
- Driving with a suspended license and falsely identifying himself to law enforcement;
- Charged with misdemeanor reckless driving for driving 20 mph over speed limit.
Davis was also arrested in February and charged with driving under the influence.7
K Jeff Reed (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Kickers don’t often get arrested, but Reed is an exception. In 2009, he was cited for criminal mischief and disorderly conduct after allegedly damaging a towel dispenser in the restroom of a convenience store. He was ordered to pay $544 in fines.
Later that year, Reed reportedly raised his fists towards police offers while they cited teammate Matt Spaeth for public urination. He was charged with public intoxication and resisting arrest.8
DEF San Francisco 49ers
Over the years, 49ers corners Chris Culliver and Donald Strickland, lineman Ray McDonald and linebacker Roderick Green have all been arrested. But the team’s superstar linebacker Aldon Smith is also the team’s leader in arrests. In recent years, he has been arrested for the following crimes:
- Arrested in Miami on DUI charges in 2012;
- Arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence and marijuana possession after he crashed his pickup truck into a tree in 2013;
- Charged with illegal possession of an assault weapon after an incident that occurred during a party at his home in June 2012;
- Arrested at Los Angeles International Airport after he allegedly issued a bomb threat during a security check in 2014.9
Smith plead no contest to DUI and weapons charges, and was sentenced to spend 11 days on a sheriff’s work crew.10 He has been suspended for the first nine games of the NFL season.11
Don't Drink and Draft
If you are facing a criminal charge, you need to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney to help you immediately. At Wallin & Klarich, our skilled attorneys have been successfully helping our clients in their time of legal need for over 40 years, whether it is a high profile football star or just the average guy. We can help you with your case.
With offices located in Orange County, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Torrance, Riverside, West Covina, Victorville, Ventura, San Diego and Sherman Oaks, our team of skilled attorneys is available to help you no matter where you work or live.
Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free phone consultation. We will get through this together.
1. [http://nakedlaw.avvo.com/crime/throwback-thursday-michael-vick-pleads-guilty-dogfighting-dogs-everywhere-day.html?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Post&utm_campaign=nakedlaw]↩
2. [https://www.animallaw.info/statute/ca-dog-fighting-%C2%A7-5975-fighting-dogs-felony-punishment-spectators-exceptions]↩
3. [http://espn.go.com/blog/baltimore-ravens/post/_/id/9137/ray-rices-next-hurdle-is-with-nfl]↩
4. [http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11257934/justin-blackmon-jacksonville-jaguars-arrested-marijuana-possession]↩
5. [http://www.southerncaliforniadefenseblog.com/2013/10/costs_of_a_dui_conviction.html]↩
6. [http://thestir.cafemom.com/sports/153074/dez_bryant_regrets_hitting_his]↩
7. [http://www.utsandiego.com/nfl/arrests-database/]↩
8. [Id.]↩
9. [Id.]↩
10. [http://blog.sfgate.com/49ers/2014/07/24/aldon-smith-will-meet-with-goodell-soon-says-hes-stayed-sober/]↩
11. [http://deadspin.com/49ers-aldon-smith-suspended-nine-games-1628641599]↩