Hines Ward
Back in May Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis predicted crime would rise if the NFL lockout didn't end soon.
A lot of people laughed off what Lewis had to say as hype from a player wanting the lockout to end soon, but his words are starting to look prophetic.
“Do this research if we don't have a season," he told ESPN. "Watch how much evil, which we call crime, watch how much crime picks up, if you take away our game,"
The Sporting News just published the names of 19 (now 20) NFL players who have been arrested in the 120 days since the owners locked the players out, as they try to hammer out a new collective bargaining agreement.
During the lockout there can't be any contact between the the teams and players. And while no games have been missed yet some players obviously need more structure, even in the off season. Normally teams would have had organized team activities by now. Also players would have been allowed to rehab injuries and workout at team facilities. With those options unavailable players have been left on their own, and some have made bad decisions.
There is some good news on the horizon. The owners and players appear closer than ever to ending the longest ever work stoppage in league history.
The two sides will continue to negotiate a new CBA this week.
Check out the list of NFL players who have been arrested since the lockout began on March 12.
March
13th: Vikings CB Chris Cook (brandishing a handgun)
17th: Raiders OT Mario Henderson (carrying a concealed weapon)
19th: Cowboys DB Bryan McCann (public intoxication)
25th: Packers DL Johnny Jolly (drug possession)
25th: Eagles OT Jason Peters (disturbing the peace)
30th: Buccaneers CB Aqib Talib (aggravated assault with a deadly weapon)
April
3rd: Raiders WR Louis Murphy (drug possession)
4th: Chiefs LB Mike Vrabel (felony theft)
12th: Titans WR Kenny Britt (eluding police, obstruction)
19th: Falcons S William Moore (speeding, driving with suspended license)
May
6th: Chargers LB Antwan Applewhite (drunken driving suspicion)
10th: Buccaneers DE Alex Magee (marijuana possession)
22nd: Bears RB Garrett Wolfe (theft, disorderly conduct, assaulting an officer, resisting arrest with violence)
June
8th: Titans WR Kenny Britt (resisting arrest)
9th: Colts RB Javarris James (drug possession)
16th: Packers CB Brandon Underwood (disorderly conduct)
17th: Seahawks DE Raheem Brock (theft, resisting arrest)
19th: Eagles LB Akeem Jordan (assault and battery)
July
9th: Steelers WR Hines Ward (drunken driving)
**UPDATE** 20th Player Arrested
10th: Bengals CB Adam "Pacman" Jones (disorderly conduct while intoxicated and resisting arrest)
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