Williams' DUI arrest just the latest for Chargers
Chargers
["williams'", 'dui', 'arrest', 'late', 'charger']
Williams' DUI arrest just the latest for <m> Chargers </m>
http : / / www . utsandiego . com / news / 2009 / Feb / 04 / 1s4chargers222254 - williams - dui - arrest - just - latest - /
Williams' DUI arrest just the latest for <m> Chargers </m>
Team has program to address problem
2 A . M . FEB . 4 , 2009
Two years ago , the Chargers won an NFL special award for helping start a San Diego program by which players who've been imbibing can call a private number for a ride home , an alternative to driving under the influence .
A former Chargers fullback , Lorenzo Neal , was among the co - founders of the “ Safe Ride Solutions ” program that since has been expanded to other NFL cities .
Evidently , though , the drinking and driving problem hasn't been eradicated in San Diego .
Sunday , for the second time in less than four weeks , a Chargers player was pulled over in the early - morning hours and arrested on suspicion of DUI .
“ It's disappointing to hear about the issue involving Jamal Williams , ” said General Manager A . J . Smith in a news release issued by the team yesterday .
“ We'll continue to monitor the situation and let the legal process run its course . ”
Smith's statement served as the only comment from the Chargers .
A request to interview club President Dean Spanos was declined by a spokesman .
As it is , the Chargers are still awaiting the disposition of a similar case involving wide receiver Vincent Jackson , arrested Jan . 6 in Clairemont on suspicion of driving under the influence .
Jackson , also facing charges of driving while on probation for a prior DUI , has an arraignment set for Feb . 17 in San Diego Superior Court .
Williams , a three - time Pro Bowl nose tackle , was stopped for speeding westbound on state route 94 at approximately 1 : 30 a . m Sunday .
Arrested by the CHP on suspicion of drunken driving , he was booked into county jail and later released on bond .
Results of Williams' blood - alcohol test have not been released .
“ These are just two more arrests that we've had , ” said Pat Hodgkin , local executive director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving ( MADD ) , noting that roughly 13 , 000 DUI convictions are issued every year in San Diego County .
“ However , these are media - worthy professionals .
These are individuals that not only youth looks up to , but adults look up to as well .
They need to understand that they have an effect on people and a responsibility . ”
The Chargers were involved in one of the most publicized and bizarre instances of a DUI stop in 2006 .
Linebacker Steve Foley was shot three times by an off - duty Coronado police officer who followed Foley from downtown to the player's home in Poway .
Foley , his career ended by the bullet wounds , later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor DUI .
It was that case that prompted Gary Lawrence , a detective with the Northern Division of the San Diego Police Department , to ally with the Chargers in a program in which players who've been drinking would call “ Safe Ride Solutions ” and be driven home by an off - duty member of law enforcement .
“ Anytime anybody's arrested for DUI , I get very disappointed , and not just when athletes are involved , ” said Lawrence yesterday .
“ We're talking about a crime where people are killed or injured , a crime where people go to jail , and it's 100 percent preventable . ”
Citing his company's confidentiality agreement with clients , Lawrence declined to discuss anything specific pertaining to the Chargers and their players .
From its start with the team , though , the business has grown to include clients from other high - profile realms and put to work by other NFL franchises .
In recognition of the program , the league gave the Chargers its Winston - Shell Award in 2007 for “ demonstrating commitment and dedication to developing unique and innovative ideas and solutions . ”