Less than two weeks after being suspended for four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy for marijuana use, New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson was charged Thursday with resisting arrest and traffic violations fueled by a high-speed road race in St. Charles County, Missouri, on July 14.
Richardson was clocked speeding at 143 miles per hour in his 2014 Bentley Silver Spur, then "increased his speed, drove off the highway, and sped through a traffic light to try to get away" when officers attempted to stop his car, as per Yahoo Sports.
Richardson and two other passengers were ordered by the officer to get out of the car at gunpoint, and cops were able to retrieve a fully-loaded, semi-automatic handgun underneath the driver's side floor mat. The officer also found out that there was a 12-year-old child together with the three adults inside the vehicle, which smelled strongly of burned marijuana, USA Today reported.
Following the first practice of training camp before news of the incident broke out on Thursday, Richardson explained to reporters his reasons for his four-game suspension.
"I'm very disappointed in myself...I brought it on myself, me missing the four games," said Richardson, according to the Daily News. "Just a little disappointed and embarrassed for my parents' sake."
"I'm not a dope fiend," Richardson continued. "I can say no. I just chose not to. I was in a depressing time in my offseason and that's just it. It's just that simple. There's money on the line and my money is worth more than some weed."
Meanwhile, Richardson's arrest was news to the New York Jets as Dom Cosentino of NJ.com said the team didn't know about the situation until Thursday after the incident was ran in media reports, NBC Sports has learned.
"We are aware the situation and are gathering information," the Jets said in a release. "This is a pending legal matter and we will have no further comment at this time."
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