Sheldon Richardson Debacle Puts Unaware Jets In Tough Spot
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Head coach Todd Bowles has a mess on his hands in his first training camp with the New York Jets.
Sheldon Richardson, already suspended four games by the NFL, was charged Thursday in St. Charles County, Missouri, with resisting arrest and multiple traffic violations for an incident on July 14 — just two weeks after his league-issued ban for marijuana use.
Questions about the incident will dominate Friday's media access at training camp, where Bowles and the Jets are looking to turn the page from the big-top atmosphere of the Rex Ryan regime.
Richardson has made that all but impossible.
"I apologized to my teammates and my organization and I told them they don't have to worry about my name being in the news again," the defensive end said of his drug suspension after the Jets' first practice on Thursday.
Shortly after that, FOX-affiliate KTVI in Missouri first reported the charges against Richardson, who resides in O'Fallon, Missouri. The Jets were not aware of the incident until they saw media reports.
According to a release issued by the St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Richardson was driving at "exceedingly high rates of speed" on Interstate 64 in "what appeared to be a road race."
In the police's probable cause report, an officer stated that Richardson and the other vehicle were traveling at speeds as high as 143 mph. When the officer attempted to make routine traffic stops on the vehicles, Richardson sped away.
The 24-year-old Richardson was identified as the driver of a 2014 Bentley Silver Spur, which also went through a traffic light before the Jets player turned off all of the car's lights and pulled into the driveway of a home that wasn't his. Police pulled behind the car and ordered Richardson and his two adult male passengers out of the car at gunpoint — because an officer said he saw Richardson reach for something between his feet.
According to the incident report, Richardson exited the car, along with the passengers and a 12-year-old boy. A fully loaded semi-automatic handgun was found underneath the driver's side floor mat, and the officer said the car smelled of marijuana.
Richardson was issued traffic summonses, and has been ordered to appear in St. Charles County Circuit Court on Oct. 27 for arraignment on the charge of resisting arrest, a class A misdemeanor. He was not charged for the gun possession or marijuana. A conviction for resisting arrest is punishable by up to one year in jail, and/or a fine of up to $1,000. Richardson's passengers were not charged.
In a statement, the Jets said they were aware of the situation and were "gathering information." They added that it's a "pending legal matter" and would have no further comment at this time.
Richardson could face discipline from the team, and the NFL may add to his suspension citing the personal conduct policy.
While speaking to reporters for the first time since his suspension was announced, Richardson insisted he wouldn't fail another NFL-issued drug test — even though he had previously failed an unspecified number of others.
"Yeah," he said when asked if he could guarantee not having another failed test, "because I'm not a dope fiend."
Richardson was suspended by the league on July 2 without pay for the first four games of this season after violating the league's substance abuse policy. He's allowed to practice with the team until the regular season begins.
"I failed every drug test and this drug test, so there was no reason to appeal it," Richardson said. "I take full accountability for my actions."
Added Bowles: "His actions will speak louder than his words going forward."
Richardson, who made the Pro Bowl last season, worked with the second-team defense during the Jets' first practice of training camp while first-round draft pick Leonard Williams and veteran Leger Douzable split time with the starters.
"Seeing yourself going from Pro Bowl to second string, can't do nothing but be disappointed in yourself," Richardson said. "I'm just a little disappointed and embarrassed for my parents' sake. NFL guys mess up, and the world knows about it. My family goes through a lot. People don't know how to talk to them at work anymore. Those things like that, that gets to you. I put my family before myself, and this team."
Richardson wouldn't detail what led to him failing multiple drug tests and ultimately being suspended, other than to say: "Personal reasons. Like I said, you all don't know my life, so you wouldn't understand that."
He reiterated that he's "not a dope fiend, man," and added that he could have said no, but "I just chose not to."
"I was in a depressing time in my offseason, and that's just that," Richardson said. "It's just that simple, bro. There's money on the line. My money is worth more than some weed."
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