A busy offseason for the Buffalo Bills got a little busier early Saturday morning when safety Donte Whitner had a run-in with the law in Cleveland. Police have confirmed that Whitner was arrested for aggravated disorderly conduct and resisting police outside the House of Blues at 3 a.m. He hasn't been officially charged with either crime, according to WIVB-TV in Buffalo.Whitner, who went to Ohio State, has started 42 games in three seasons since the Bills selected him with the eighth overall pick of the 2006 draft. He had 61 tackles and one sack in 13 games during the 2008 season.
The Bills have uncharacteristically been major newsmakers in the NFL this offseason. They've been locked in contentious negotiations with starting left tackle Jason Peters over a new contract, and found out that they will have to do without starting tailback Marshawn Lynch for the first three games of the season as the result of a league suspension.
They also signed a wide receiver/popcorn afficianado of some repute. He goes by the name of Terrell Owens, you've probably heard of him.
Does a whirlwind of an offseason portend bad things for the 2009 season? Not necessarily. Many of the most successful teams of recent history have found a way to put off-field issues behind them to thrive when the games started counting. However it plays out, it's certainly raised the profile of the Bills, who have mostly shuffled along in the background of the league over the past few seasons.
Athletes in Trouble With the Law
April 11: Buffalo Bills safety Donte Whitner was arrested on charges of aggravated disorderly conduct and resisting police outside the House of Blues in Cleveland. Click through the gallery to see more athletes in trouble with the law.
Paul Jasienski, Getty Images
April 5: Free agent Reggie Williams was charged with possession of a controlled substance after cops allegedly found cocaine in his back pocket.
Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images
April 5: Los Angeles Clippers forward Zach Randolph was arrested for investigation of drunken driving.
Rocky Widner, NBAE/Getty Images
April 3: Gigi Becali, left, the owner of Steaua Bucharest, was arrested on charges of kidnapping three men who allegedly stole his car earlier this year.
Bogdan Maran, MEDIAFAX FOTO/AP
March 25: Former Michigan State and Lions wide receiver Charles Rogers, here in a file photo, was sent to prison after a probation violation.
Carlos Osorio, AP
March 21: Raiders offensive tackle and Super Bowl XXXVII champ Cornell Green was arrested on a domestic violence charge in Florida. Tampa police say Green struck the mother of his two children with an aluminum mop handle.
Getty Images
March 20: Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn was charged with assault causing bodily injury for allegedly punching a cabbie.
Scott Boehm, Getty Images
March 16: Former Lakers star Norm Nixon was arrested for investigation of drunken driving after cops allegedly smell alcohol coming from his car.
Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images
March 16: Nets forward Sean Williams was arrested for suspicion of disorderly conduct and felony criminal mischief after an incident at a cell phone store.
Ray Amati, NBAE / Getty Images
March 14: A car driven by Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth struck and killed a 59-year-old pedestrian in Miami. Stallworth now faces DUI manslaughter charges.
Stephan Savoia, AP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-11-2009 @ 12:54PM
furrsher said...
WHEN DO THESE GUYS SLEEP????
Reply
4-11-2009 @ 5:40PM
rob said...
Usually after fingerprinting but before they see the judge.
4-11-2009 @ 8:25PM
hockychick99 said...
I am already sick of everyone whining about Terrell Owens. As far as I see it, he has never been in trouble with the law. My team now has 2 losers who have been in trouble with the law and 1 who should have had some felonies and his butt in jail, ie gun, hit n run and pot smoking. He should have been suspended for more than 3 games! I know I have my popcorn ready!
Reply
4-11-2009 @ 9:32PM
frankclark830 said...
whats going on in buff. I leave for a couple years and all hell breaks loose
Reply
4-12-2009 @ 5:49AM
David S. said...
Really, does it matter? He will be welcomed back on his team like a hero...it is the NFL. Too bad Michael Phelps isn't in the NFL..dude was demonzied for smoking pot....
Reply