Sports News

Chargers receiver arrested on DUI charge

Published: Jan. 6, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Order reprints
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of driving under the influence.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, Jackson was pulled over on state Route 52 just past 2:30 a.m. following an observed traffic violation. He was booked and later released. Jackson could be facing misdemeanors on the alleged DUI itself in addition to violating probation for a prior DUI charge.

"This morning, I was stopped by an officer," Jackson said. "I don't think any charges will be filed as a result of the stop. In the event they are, I look forward to clearing my name and proving my innocence."

San Diego beat Indianapolis 23-17 in last Saturday's AFC Wild Card matchup and will play Pittsburgh Sunday in an AFC Divisional playoff game.

The arrest will not keep Jackson from playing against the Steelers, the Union-Tribune said, because the NFL's contract with the players' union gives authority to discipline players for alcohol and substance abuses to the league, not individual teams. Any punishment would affect next season, the newspaper said.

Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith issued a statement, saying the team was aware of the arrest.

"Obviously we're disappointed," Smith said. "We take these issues very seriously. Moving forward, we will monitor the situation and have no further comment."

A fourth-year pro out of Northern Colorado, Jackson had an outstanding season for the Chargers this season. He set career highs of 59 receptions, 1,098 yards and seven touchdowns.


© 2009 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.


U.S. markets flat on Friday (3 min)
FDIC to assess Citigroup executives (6 min)
Dead Sea in natural wonders competition (7 min)
Brown seeks Gadhafi's help in kidnap case (24 min)
Bulgaria customs stop 42 illegal migrants (24 min)
Kurdish constitution seen as unity threat (30 min)
Kinney joining 'Mentalist' cast (32 min)
fark
Spain's spymaster defends himself from charges of taking expensive vacations at taxpayer expense...
It looks like Canada has a bad case of brain freeze: Manitoba has been named the world's leading...
GM emerges from bankruptcy, sees shadow of debt, predicts six more weeks of Buick
Ugly ass baby giraffe born at Jacksonville Zoo. It's got legs that won't quit
Darwin scores first victory in 15 years at annual Running of the Dipshiats in Pamplona
...so here's some ugly-ass hairless baby macaque monkeys that look like George W. Bush