I just don't understand why NFL players keep getting popped for DUI. In addition to having millions of dollars, enough to easily pay for a taxi, car service or even a limo, their own union offers a "Safe Rides" program, providing car service for impaired players. This week, it was New York Giants star lineman David Diehl who was arrested for DUI. At least we saw fewer NFL player arrests than last week, when three players were arrested. Justin Blackmon of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jerome Felton of the Minnesota Vikings and Nick Fairley of the Detroit Lions were all arrested over the first few days of June.
NFL Safe Rides
The NFL Player's Association, the players' union, now runs the "Safe Rides" program, which provides car services to players who are impaired. The cost is $85 and the phone number is printed on the back of every player's union card. The league used to run the program, but after privacy concerns, the union took it over in 2009. Even with the service easily available to players, they still just don't seem to get the message. The effects of alcohol also impair judgement, leading players to probably think they can "make it home."
Here's a look at this week's NFL player DUI arrest:
David Diehl - New York Giants - DWI - June 10
According to a report in the New York Daily News, after a night of partying in Queens, New York watching the Croatian soccer team beat Ireland in the European Championship tournament, New York Giants offensive lineman David Diehl crashed into some parked cars after leaving a bar. Fortunately, no one, including Diehl, was injured. After the wreck, police suspected he was drunk, arrested him and gave him a Breathalyzer test. Diehl blew a .18, more than double the legal limit of .08. For a guy who is 6-foot-5 and 304 pounds, that must have been a lot of drinks.
Diehl makes $5.2 million per year on average, as he has a six-year, $31 million deal with the New York Giants he signed in 2008. He has two more years on that contact. He's started in every game he's played in, during his nine years in the NFL and Diehl is a key part of the Giants' offense.
A good guy
Despite this mistake, Diehl seems like a good guy who does a lot of charity work. The Daily News pointed out several charity events Diehl has been involved with just in the past week. It's also apparently his first offense, of any kind. I hope he goes through the team's and the league's substance abuse program and learns his lesson. I also hope, like other players who have been arrested for DUI, that Diehl goes out and speaks with fans and young people about his mistake and the dangers of driving while intoxicated.
Although born and raised with Eagles fans in Philadelphia, Freddy Sherman has always been a citizen of Raider Nation at heart. Since his dad got him a signed George Blanda football as child, to meeting Lyle Alzado in the 1980s, he hasn't looked back. Follow him on twitter @thefredsherman
More from this contributor:
Weekly NFL Player DUI Arrest Report: Fan's view
Jack Tatum - Oakland Raiders' Assassin: Fan's Look
Oakland Raiders' Other Assassin - George Atkinson: Fan's Look
