Image via Complex Original
For sports fans, the summer usually means finding other ways to entertain ourselves during the long break from NFL and NBA action. For our favorite athletes, the summer appears to be a period that’s becoming increasingly harder to just stay out of trouble. In particular, the NFL seems to be having a serious problem keeping their players off the back pages, and out of cuffs. More than 40 NFL players have already been arrested this year, a 75 percent spike from 2012. Perhaps the NFL and other leagues need to institute some sort of summer camp for their players when the leagues are not in season, because whatever they’re doing, or not doing, isn’t working at the moment. There have been countless DUI’s, various assaults, and a dance party or two along the way. From Cedric Benson’s boating while intoxicated, to Chad Johnson’s head-butt, check out, A Recent History of Athlete Offseason Shenanigans.
*Note: Serious alleged crimes like Aaron Hernandez's murder charge or the Kobe Bryant rape trial from 2003 were left off this list.*
Jamal Lewis Brokered a Deal
Sport: Football
Date: 2/25/2004
Consequence: Charged with conspiracy to intentionally possess with the intent to distribute cocaine.
What happened?: Just three years after helping the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl XXXV victory over the Giants as a rookie, Jamal Lewis was arrested for conspiring to possess with the intent to sell five kilograms of cocaine while using a cell phone. Apparently he was trying to secure the goods for a boyhood friend and a woman while at a restaurant. Only problem was the woman turned out to be a police informant. Through a plea agreement, Lewis served a four-month sentence in 2005.
Tank Johnson's "DUI to the Slightest Degree"
Sport: Football
Date: 6/22/2007
Consequence: Charged with DUI.
What happened?: The final straw that broke the camels back in Tank Johnson's career as a Bear was a DUI arrest the lineman received back in June of 2007. While no charges were filed, the damage was already done with the arrest for "DUI: Impaired to the Slightest Degree," which just goes to show you, even if you're one toe over the line, you're still out of bounds. See what we did there? Before the incident, Johnson had spent two months in jail for violating probation on a gun charge. Tank Johnson hasn't played a down in the NFL since 2010.
The Summer of Cedric Benson
Sport: Football
Date: 5/3/2008
Consequence: Charged with boating while intoxicated, and resisting arrest.
What happened?: This is one of our personal favorites, boating while intoxicated. Back in May of 2008, Cedric Benson decided to spend the day at sea with a few friends, only problem was there was no designated skipper. Benson was stopped by police, failed a sobriety test while operating the 30-foot vessel, then resisted arrest before being hit with pepper spray and dragged ashore. Benson maintained that he wasn't intoxicated while operating the boat. From the picture, it looks like we all missed one hell of a day on the lake.
The Tiger Woods Saga
Sport: Golf
Date: 11/25/2009
Consequence: Self-imposed golf exile.
What happened?: Oh, Tiger, we almost feel bad at this point. We all know about Tiger's fall from grace by now, but it doesn't make it any less worthy of dishonorable mention. It began with nightclub promoter Rachel Uchitel, and continues with Woods still in the midst of a five-year Major drought. Woods has regained his top spot in the world rankings, though.
Shaun Rogers' TSA Blunder
Sport: Football
Date: 4/1/2010
Consequence: Booked for carrying a concealed weapon.
What happened?: We’ll make this real simple. It’s not okay to bring a loaded gun in your carry-on bag. Rogers was arrested for doing so back in 2010. Apparently police spotted the loaded .45-caliber during a security checkpoint on Concourse C at Hopkins International Airport. At least the system works, right?
Aqib Talib's Family Bonding
Sport: Football
Date: 3/21/2011
Consequence: Charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
What happened?: They say any family bonding is time well spent, but in Aqib Talib's case, we're just not sure if that's true. Like something out of a Dukes of Hazard episode, Talib and his mom reportedly fired guns at Talib's sister's boyfriend, Shannon Billings, after the family got into an argument. Luckily for Billings, they missed, but what the hell where they thinking in the first place? After the incident, Aqib said his mom was the only one who shot at Billings. Damn, homie, selling out your own mother?
Louis Murphy's Got a Lot of Problems
Sport: Football
Date: 4/3/2011
Consequence: Charged with drug possession without a valid prescription, failure to obey a police officer, and resisting arrest.
What happened?: It may have all started with blaring music from Louis Murphy's SUV, but it ended with him in cuffs for possession of drugs without a valid prescription. The payoff, can you guess which drug Murphy had riding shotgun? That's right, it's everyone's favorite little blue pill, Viagra. Louis Murphy definitely needs help, we're just not sure where to begin. Hopefully Tom Coughlin can set him straight.
Mike Vrabel's "Unfortunate Missunderstanding"
Sport: Football
Date: 4/4/2011
Consequence: Charged with stealing, a Class D felony.
What happened?: Another "what were they thinking moment," if we've ever seen one. Former Chiefs linebacker Mike Vrabel decided it was a good idea to steal from the Belterra Casino in Florence, Ind. back in 2011. It's not clear exactly what was stolen but according to Vrabel, "it was an unfortunate misunderstanding, and I take full responsibility for the miscommunication." Thanks for clearing that up, Mike.
Three Strikes and You're Out, Kenny Britt
Sport: Football
Date: 5/10/2011
Consequence: Charged with eluding a police officer, lying to an officer/hindering apprehension, and obstructing governmental function.
What happened?: It's the quick thinking athletes exhibit during times of extreme pressure that really make us admire them. Kind of like the quick thinking Titans wideout Kenny Britt exhibited when he literally attempted to walk away from a speeding ticket. Yup, Britt was ready to leave his Porsche and continue on foot, in hopes that, maybe the cops would just forget about him?
Charges were reduced to a misdemeanor and a fine, but the plot thickens. Britt was arrested two days later at a Hoboken, N.J. carwash because cops apparently smelled marijuana in the car. This would not be the last of Britt's troubles with the law.
Raheem Brock's Drink and Dash
Sport: Football
Date: 6/16/2011
Consequence: Charged with theft and resisting arrest.
What happened?: Apparently Raheem Brock knew he was going to be fined $15,000 for an early-season hit on Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger back in 2011. How else would one explain the veteran defensive end skipping out on a $27 bar tab just months before the season started? Brock had the nerve to resist arrest after he left the bar, too. We would've wired you the money, Raheem.
Ron Artest's Name Change
Sport: Basketball
Date: 9/16/2011
Consequence: Metta World Peace was born.
What happened?: What more can we say? Ladies and gentlemen, Metta World Peace. We're just licking our lips at the thought of watching the New York Knicks this season.
Rob Gronkowski's Dance Party
Sport: Football
Date: 2/5/2012
Consequence: Won the ire of teammates, pundits, and former Patriots.
What happened?: Just stop it, Gronk. It's bad for a grown man to dance around shirtless in a club after the Super Bowl, it's even worse to do it hours after it was your team that lost. Stop with the shirtless dance parties, and stop breaking your arm every other week. If recent developments are any indication, the Patriots are going to need your services as soon as you heal from your latest setback. Let 'em know, Rodney Harrison.
David Diehl's Queens Joy Ride
Sport: Football
Date: 6/9/2012
Consequence: Charged with DWI.
What happened?: How many hit parked cars in Queens, N.Y. does it take for you to get arrested? The answer for most would be one, but David Diehl is a big dude, so he hit four just to be safe. At least Diehl was smart enough to stay on the scene and allow himself to be taken in and eventually charged with DWI. Good thing he won the Wellington Mara Man of the Year Award less than a month earlier, too. Football players really shouldn't be allowed to be around cars, alcohol, women, etc. during the offseason.
AP Can't Juke the Cops
Sport: Football
Date: 7/7/2012
Consequence: Charged with resisting arrest.
What happened?: It would take three off-duty police officers to take down Adrian Peterson at a downtown nightclub in Houston. Apparently it started with an altercation outside of a club, which was already closed, and ended with AP being taken into custody for his confrontation with the off-duty police officer. He was eventually released on a $1,000 bond, and the charges were dropped. Obviously the entire incident had little to no impact on AP's ridiculous comeback season last year.
Marshawn Lynch's Need For Speed
Sport: Football
Date: 7/14/2012
Consequence: Arrested under investigation of DUI.
What happened?: Speeding and weaving from lane to lane in the wee hours of the morning is surely a recipe for disaster, just ask Marshawn Lynch. The Seahawks running back was pulled over for his reckless driving last summer, however he didn't appear to show any signs of intoxication. He was jailed under investigation of DUI, but later released. Perhaps Lynch was channeling his inner running back with his car, trying to weave between tacklers? We're trying Marshawn, but it doesn't look good.
Jason Kidd's DWI
Sport: Basketball
Date: 7/15/2012
Consequence: Charged with Interim Probation and Community Service.
What happened?: Sometimes you have "a couple of drinks, three or four," and end up smashing your SUV into a telephone pole in the Hamptons, right? Well, if you're Jason Kidd that is. The current head coach of the Brooklyn Nets was lucky to get off with interim probation and community service about a year after the incident occurred. Come on, Kidd, this is not acceptable behavior for a head coach.
Dez Bryant's Mama Drama
Sport: Football
Date: 7/16/2012
Consequence: Charged with family violence.
What happened?: It seems like ever since he entered the NFL, Dez Bryant just can't catch a break. Bryant was arrested last summer when he and his mom got into an argument and she told him to leave the house. Apparently Dez wasn't ready to go, and he grabbed her by the shirt and "hit her across the face with his ball cap." So disrespectful.
Aaron Berry's Second Brush
Sport: Football
Date: 7/21/2012
Consequence: Three charges of simple assault.
What happened?: Another NFL player who spent more time in cuffs during the offseason than he probably did in the film room, Aaron Berry was arrested for a second time last summer for brandishing a weapon during an altercation. His previous arrest in June had been for a suspicion of DUI. The best part is teammate Ndamukong Suh saying his teammates must be "accountable" to themselves and each other. Yeah, Suh is definitely the right guy to be taking moral advice from. SMH.
Chad Johnson's Domestic Head-Butt
Sport: Football
Date: 8/11/2012
Consequence: Charged with simple domestic battery.
What happened?: Talk about a bad day. After getting into a heated argument outside of their home, Chad Johnson reportedly head-butted his newlywed wife, Evelyn Lozada. His employer at the time, the Miami Dolphins, caught wind of the incident and released the receiver later that evening. The photos are pretty damning evidence.
Michael Pineda Trades Pintstripes For Jailstripes
Sport: Baseball
Date: 8/20/2012
Consequence: Charged with DUI.
What happened?: The legal limit on blood alcohol content to operate a vehicle is .08. Yankee pitcher Michael Pineda was arrested in Tampa, Fla. with a BAC of .128. Police reportedly pulled Pineda over for speeding, weaving, failing to stay in his lane, and, oh yeah, driving without his headlights on. Ain't nobody got time for headlights. When will these dudes learn?
Shaun White's Hotel Party
Sport: Snowboarding
Date: 9/16/2012
Consequence: Charged with vandalism and public intoxication.
What happened?: We know Shaun White as the spunky kid with the crazy orange hair who tears it up on the halfpipe. The guests at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. know Shaun White as a crazy lunatic who pulled a fire alarm and tried to flee the hotel in a cab. This honestly sounds like a dream, check that, more like a nightmare. What the hell was the Flying Tomato thinking?
Todd Helton Is Not a Big Winner
Sport: Baseball
Date: 2/5/2013
Consequence: Charged with DUI.
What happened?: A DUI is no laughing matter, but the manner in which long-time Rockies first baseman Todd Helton received his is, well, you be the judge. Helton was arrested in the wee hours of a February morning for clearly driving impaired while on his way to, wait for it, purchase lottery tickets. We guess the 39-year-old was feeling lucky. All you need to know is Helton admitted to drinking igloo cups of red wine, and this is the mugshot that was taken. Seriously, bro?
Da'Quan Bowers Packed His Bag
Sport: Football
Date: 2/18/2013
Consequence: Charged with criminal possesion of a weapon.
What happened?: Apparently Da'Quan Bowers did not get the TSA memo that it's not okay to bring a .40-caliber handgun in your carry-on bag. Bowers reportedly told LaGuardia airport officials he had the gun while checking in for his flight, but that didn't spare him from getting arrested. His handling of the situation did however get him a reduced charge with no jail time, despite New York's strict gun laws.
Titus Young's Three-Peat
Sport: Football
Date: 5/10/2013
Consequence: Charged with attempted burglary, assault of a police officer, and resisting arrest
What happened?: It's not hard to figure out why Titus Young is currently out of a job. When the former Lions wide receiver was arrested in May of this year, it was his third arrest in seven days. And you thought you were having a rough week.
Young was taken into custody in San Clemente, Calif. after running from police, and putting up a fight when they tried to detain him. The entire incident apparently began with an attempted burglary by the former Boise State Bronco. The Rams picked Young up for 10 days back in February, before deciding they wanted to go "in a different direction." Yeah, like away from the precinct.