Titans assistant Todd Downing arrested for DUI just hours after win over Packers
Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Todd Downing was arrested for DUI just hours after the Titans’ win over Green Bay on Thursday night.
Downing was arrested by the Tennessee Highway Patrol in Williamson County early Friday morning. He was cited for driving under the influence and speeding, and booked into the Williamson County jail at approximately 4:30 a.m. Downing was released around 7 a.m.
According to the arrest report, the arresting officer pulled Downing over after his vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed and Downing’s vehicle allegedly smelled of intoxicants.
Per Flight Aware, the Titans’ team plane left Green Bay just after midnight local time and landed in Nashville at 2:07 a.m. According to WSMV, Downing was pulled over around 2:30 a.m.
Downing, 42, is in his second season as the Titans’ offensive coordinator following two seasons as the team’s tight ends coach. He took over as the offensive coordinator after Arthur Smith became the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.
Downing has been in the NFL since 2005 and has worked for seven teams, including the Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions. He was the Raiders’ offensive coordinator in 2017 after serving as the team’s quarterbacks coach for two seasons.
The Titans beat the Packers 27-17 on Thursday night to move to 7-3, dropping the Packers to 4-7. Ryan Tannehill passed for 333 yards in the win, and Derrick Henry threw a TD pass near the goal line in the second quarter for the Titans.
NFL reminds teams of alcohol policy
Later on Friday afternoon, the NFL sent a memo to teams reminding them of its longstanding policy banning alcohol from team facilities, busses and planes and threatening "significant discipline" for any violations.
The memo did not mention Downing specifically.
"In light of recent events, clubs are reminded that league policy prohibits alcoholic beverages, including beer, in the locker rooms, practice or office facilities, or while traveling on team busses or planes at any time during the preseason, regular season or postseason," the memo said, in part. "This applies to all players, coaches, club personnel and guests traveling with your team.
"This policy has been in place for many years ... Violations of this important policy will be taken seriously and will result in significant discipline."
Full text of the memo from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, which was sent hours after #Titans OC Todd Downing was arrested on suspicion of DUI after the team’s win at Green Bay. pic.twitter.com/XT7QjIZPmr
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 18, 2022
The warning wasn't only related to Downing's arrest. The Washington Commanders disciplined several players after they were seen on social media drinking on the team's flight home after Monday's win over the Philadelphia Eagles, according to the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
The NFL said in a statement that the league was "satisfied with the discipline administered by the club," and that no further punishment was coming.
An NFL spokesman said of the #Commanders: “The league reviewed the matter this week and we’re satisfied with the discipline administered by the club.”
The NFL is still reviewing the #Titans situation from last night. Mike Vrabel said the club is cooperating with the league.— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 18, 2022
The league is still investigating the Titans.
