Seahawks tight end faces drunken driving, marijuana charges
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Seattle Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens was accused of driving under the influence and possession of marijuana after police stopped his car in downtown Scottsdale early Tuesday.
A Scottsdale patrol officer noticed the car traveling erratically and made the stop about 2:15 a.m.
Stevens, an unrestricted free agent after five seasons with Seattle, told the officer he had "four of five margaritas" at Salty Seniorita, a downtown Scottsdale bar.
According to the police report, the officer smelled alcohol and noticed Stevens' eyes were "bloodshot and watery and half-closed. Spoke with slow, slurred speech."
As he got out of the vehicle, the report said, Stevens "dropped his cell phone and wallet on the ground, bent down to pick them up, then stutter-stepped to walk" toward the officer.
A second officer arrived and began a field sobriety test, but after Stevens "almost fell down" during the "walk-and-turn" test, the player declined to participate in any further testing.
Police said they found a "leafy green substance" believed to be marijuana in Stevens' pocket.
Stevens refused a breathalyzer test and declined to give a blood sample until police obtained a warrant about 5 a.m., the report said. Stevens was booked and posted bail and an initial court appearance was set for April 2. The blood test results haven't yet been released.
Stevens has had other run-ins with the law.
In June 2003, he pleaded guilty to reckless driving in a plea deal after being stopped in the Seattle suburb of Medina on investigation of drunken driving. He got a two-day jail sentence for that offense.
He received another five days in jail for violating his probation after he drove into a nursing home in 2000 in a hit-and-run case. Stevens was a student at Washington at the time of that incident.
The 6-foot-7, 265-pound player was a first-round draft pick by the Seahawks, the 28th selection overall, in 2002. He had a career-best 45 catches for 554 yards, a record for Seattle tight ends, in the Seahawks' 2005 Super Bowl season.
Last season, Stevens caught 22 passes for 231 yards and four touchdowns.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index
EDITORS' PICKS
- Winston's Solid Pro Day
Jameis Winston's pro day workout wasn't exceptional, but he confirmed he's worthy of being the top pick.
McShay
- Our Hindsight Is 20/20
- As ESPN.com celebrates two decades of coverage, we rank the top players and teams of the past 20 years.
Story »
- Sticking With 12 Teams
- Mailbag: John Clayton explains why expanded playoffs are on hold and discusses overtime rules and extra points.
Story »
MORE NFL HEADLINES
- McShay: Mariota moves up in Mock Draft 4.0
- Draft: NFL comps for top prospects
- Sando: Free-agency grades for all 32 teams
- Kiper: 10 safest picks in draft
- McShay: Winston looks like No. 1 | Top 32
RECENT ACTIVITY
-
TOOLS
- Contact Us
- Corrections
- Daily Line
- RSS