In the early hours of Sunday, May 27, 2012, Nick Fairley, a defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and for eluding police. The player had also refused a breathalyzer test. This is just the latest problem for the Lions. Unfortunately, Fairley is far from the only NFL player to have problems with drinking and driving.
Donte Stallworth
Dante Stallworth had been allegedly drinking and driving when he hit and killed a man in 2009. Though he faced up to 15 years after pleading guilty to DUI manslaughter, he received only 30 days in jail. He was also given house arrest for two years and must serve eight years of probation. Stallworth was a wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns at the time of the accident.
Justin Strzelczyk
Before he was killed in a fiery crash in 2004, Justin Strzelczyk had allegedly drove while drunk in 2003. He pled guilty and he lost his drivers license for two months. After the arrest, he was determined to get his life back in order. However, approximately one year later, he would be involved in a high speed chase. He crashed into a fuel truck and was killed in the ensuing blaze.
Leonard Little
In 1998, Leonard Little, then a defensive end for the St. Louis Rams, had allegedly been drinking before getting behind the wheel. He ended up running a red light and hitting another car. The woman driving the other car was killed. After he pled guilty to DUI manslaughter, Little was given probation. In 2006, he once again was reportedly driving drunk. Although he again received probation, he was also required to refrain from alcohol.
Though Mike Williams, at the time a receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, had allegedly been drinking before he was pulled over in 2009, he was not over the legal limit. He had allegedly been observed weaving in and out of the lane and he was initially charged with driving under the influence. The charges were later dropped due to a lack of evidence.
Rey Maualuga, a linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals, was reportedly arrested for driving under the influence after hitting two parked cars in early 2010. He allegedly had a blood alcohol level of almost twice the legal limit. Shortly after, he pled guilty and was given a short license suspension.
Though Kristin Watt is not a fan of all sports, she does follow the news on most sports religiously. Major news events in sport do tend to ripple out to others and she makes sure that she never misses the big stories.
