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Arrest could end Thurman's season
Already suspended 4 games by the NFL, the Bengals LB faces drunk driving charge.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
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CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said it would "surprise" him if linebacker Odell Thurman wasn't suspended for the entire NFL season.
Thurman, a second-year player from the University of Georgia, was stopped at 3:05 a.m. Monday and charged with OVI (operating a vehicle while intoxicated) on Kellogg Avenue while driving rookie receiver Reggie McNeal's 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe. Thurman was pulled over for driving left of a double-yellow line.
Extras
A police video shows Thurman, 23, saying he had a "couple beers" before trying some field sobriety tests. A police report recorded Thurman's Breathalyzer blood-alcohol reading at .18 — more than twice Ohio's .08 legal limit.
"He just obviously doesn't understand the privilege and the right to play in the National Football League," Lewis said Monday. "This will probably be dealt with very severely."
Already serving a four-game suspension for his second violation of the league's substance-abuse policy, Thurman could face a calendar-year NFL banishment for a third infraction. NFL spokesman Steve Alic said the league has no set timetable regarding Thurman's case.
"It's socially and morally not right to be — supposedly, if by the test, that is true that you are intoxicated behind the wheel — it's not correct," Lewis said. "I think that's a bad message. These guys all have the ability to know how to do the right thing and call a cab or do whatever it takes."
Hours after the Bengals improved to 3-0 with a 28-20 win in Pittsburgh, Thurman was stopped after avoiding a checkpoint. On the video, Thurman said McNeal and receiver Chris Henry were in the vehicle.
"I was driving because they was ... they had more than I did," Thurman said on the videotape.
Thurman is scheduled to appear in Hamilton County Court at 10:30 a.m. Monday, the day he was to be reinstated.
Thurman is the sixth Bengal arrested in the past year, joining guard Eric Steinbach (operating a boat under the influence), linebacker A.J. Nicholson (burglary, theft, vandalism), since-waived defensive tackle Matthias Askew (acquitted of resisting arrest), defensive end Frostee Rucker (vandalism, spousal battery) and Henry (driving under the influence, providing alcohol to minors, carrying a concealed weapon).
Thurman, who had many off-field incidents in college, led the Bengals with 148 tackles as a rookie.
In a recent interview with ESPN.com, Thurman said he missed, not failed, a drug test. He also was quoted saying: "If this is the edge right here, then I got one foot over the edge. I got one whole leg over the edge, and the fall would be ... I can't even see the ground. A one-year (suspension) for me, if I were to make that mistake, it would be like committing suicide."
Comments
By Nick
September 27, 2006 01:41 AM | Link to this
JJ—You are an idiot. Maybe before you pop-off with your big mouth and your tiny brain, should brush up on league policy, the CBA, and the position of the NFLPA on discipling a player (even a repeat offender like Henry) before the legal system has ran it’s course. The NFLPA regards this as “double jeopardy”. Also, players serving suspensions for violating the league drug policy cannot be waived or cut by the team while they are serving their suspension. So get a clue you mental midget.
By Tom
September 27, 2006 01:41 AM | Link to this
Professional athletes are role models and if they set a bad example to the children of this country, they need reprimand on count 1, count 2 they are out of the game period. They are paid well and not allowed excuses for being a poor role model.
By jeffrey
September 26, 2006 11:35 PM | Link to this
you without sin cast the first stone !!!
By TKO
September 26, 2006 11:22 PM | Link to this
If the Bengals front office allow these types of actions to go unpunished, they better add jumpsuits to thew list of uniforms.
By Paul
September 26, 2006 06:31 PM | Link to this
Maybe he could try NASCAR..But then he’d have to sit upright while drivng, his pistol wouldn’t stay under the front seat, the engine noise would drown out the rap music, his pit crew couldn’t work on the car while holding up their pants at the same time, his “posse” would keep trying to carjack Dale Jr., the Police cars on the track would interfere with the race, there’s no passenger seat for the Ho, Tahoes aren’t approved for competition, when he crashed his car he’d bail out and run.
By Kelly
September 26, 2006 06:09 PM | Link to this
Well Cameron, maybe he cannot use proper GRAMMAR, but you cannot spell!
By Katie
September 26, 2006 05:28 PM | Link to this
Another chance? You gotta be kidding me! This is already his THIRD violation. The man has a salary of $2 Million! I think he can afford a cab. Or a personal chauffer. There is no excuse for driving drunk. In most jobs, they wouldn’t be given a second, let alone third chance. Violate the substance policy, and you are history!
By Jeff
September 26, 2006 05:18 PM | Link to this
I agree with waiving Thurman. Henry is a heck of a reciever… atleast he wasn’t driving this time. I feel baad for the kid after a great game against Pittsburgh he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. It seems to be the going trend for him. I would like to see Henry suspended/benched for a few games and see how Kelley Washington can play or Chatam if he is healthy. If they play well release Henry.
By BRAD UHLENHAKE
September 26, 2006 05:09 PM | Link to this
BOTH DESERVE ANOTHER CHANCE. THIS IS REVERSE DISCRIMINATION - I.E. THEY ARE BEING PUT DOWN because THEY ARE ATHLETES. MY COLLEGE SON WAS DRINKING AND PAID A FINE AND A PRICE FOR DOING SO. LET THESE GUYS GO - BUT, THERE isd A LIMIT TO THE CHANCES THEY MUST RECEIVE.
By ..:web::..
September 26, 2006 04:33 PM | Link to this
..::people get arrested,and pulled over every day for driving under the influence, robbery, etc. we are only hearing about this because of WHO they are. people need to mind their own business. they are young with ALOT of money, they just dont know how to control themselves yet. Hopefully he will come to realize the choices he makes effects a lot people, not just himself::..
By JJ
September 26, 2006 03:04 PM | Link to this
Marvin Lewis has no morals. Waive Thurman and Henry now you idiot!!!!!
By JJ
September 26, 2006 03:01 PM | Link to this
Marvin Lewis has no morals. Waive Thurman and Henry now you idiot!!!!!
By cameron
September 26, 2006 02:22 PM | Link to this
Give me a break. The guy can not even speak proper grammer. Release him and move forward. He is bound to cause more bad press at a time The Bengals deserve great press.
By Stephen
September 26, 2006 02:06 PM | Link to this
Wow, i cant believe this, the bengals need to get players who arent prone to getting arrested, the front office needs to get their act together, i know they have turned the season around but they need to draft smarter players.