Last week, New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards was arrested for driving under the influence. This happened just one week after the Jets instituted a new car service, and took place in New York City – perhaps the city with the most taxis in the world.
It was a dumb move, one that could easily have been avoided. But Edwards is not the only athlete to commit a stupid crime. This list will lay out five other athletes who broke the law in the dumbest ways.
5. Eddie Griffin:
After finishing a game for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Griffin was cruising around drunk when his Escalade smashed into a parked car. His drunkenness wasn’t the reason for the accident, however. He was also watching porn and jerking off, and spent several minutes putting his shirt and pants on after the crash. Griffin somehow escaped criminal conviction, but was sued.
4. Najeh Davenport:
Davenport was on a football scholarship at the University of Miami (of course), when he was charged with second-degree burglary. Why? He broke into a girl’s dorm room and took a shit over her hamper. Davenport, who went on to the NFL to play with the Packers, Steelers and Colts, was sentenced to community service for the incident.
3. Patrick Kane:
Well, you know the story. Kane and his cousin cabbed home from a bar in Buffalo, and, upon finding out the driver didn’t have exact change, reportedly twenty cents, allegedly punched the driver in the face. Kane was initially charged with second-degree robbery and fourth-degree criminal mischief, but charges were eventually lowered until Kane and his cousin pleaded guilty to non-criminal conduct charges.
2. Minnesota Vikings “Love Boat Scandal”
In 2005, 17 members of the Vikings took part in a giant two-boat party on Lake Minnetonka. Prostitutes were flown in from Florida and Atlanta, and a giant sex party ensued. Witnesses said indiscretions of every kind occurred, and the cleaning crew reported finding, among other things, condoms, K-Y Jelly and sex toys. No drugs or minors were found to be involved, but three players were charged with indecent exposure and sentenced to community service. The NFL also issued fines to players involved.
1. Plaxico Burress:
In 2008, Burress became the symbol for adding insult to injury. While at a nightclub, Burress’ handgun began sliding down his pant leg. As he reached for it, it accidentally discharged, shooting himself in the leg. He was rushed to hospital with non-life threatening injuries, and treated. The next week he turned himself in for criminal possession of a handgun. He was sentenced to two years in prison, with his release expected in August of 2011. In addition, he has been suspended without pay from the New York Giants.
