HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (Nov. 29, 2006) -- New York Jets offensive lineman Adrian Jones hopes other players learn from his mistake, when he was arrested for driving while intoxicated.
"I can be an example to the other players in the NFL, in college or in the lower levels," Jones said in his first public comments since the incident. "I want people to see me as an example and show that it is a stupid decision that doesn't need to continue."
The 25-year-old tackle, in his third season with the Jets, was arrested at about 4:45 a.m. on Nov. 25 after he was stopped by police about a mile from the team's training facility for allegedly driving slowly and making an unsafe lane change. He was charged with DWI and had his license suspended after refusing to take a blood-alcohol test at central testing, said Eric Phillips, a spokesman for Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice.
A preliminary field sobriety test when Jones was arrested revealed a blood-alcohol reading of 0.22, police said.
In a police complaint, Jones told officers he had been in an accident about 20 minutes earlier. The front end of his car was damaged and smoke was emanating from under the hood.
"It was a mistake," the 6-foot-5, 296-pound lineman said, adding that his teammates have been supportive. "I've already apologized to my team and my family. Now I just have to deal with my consequences and just move on."
After being released by a judge Nov. 25, Jones was ordered to return to court on Dec. 15. He was fined $20,000 by the team and will be monitored by the NFL because as a first-time offender, he goes into the league's substance abuse policy.
"I was definitely disappointed in myself for putting myself in that position," he said. "It was a very stupid decision and now I am ready to deal with everything that has to come with it."
Jones was inactive and didn't play in the Jets' 26-11 victory over Houston on Nov. 26, and coach Eric Mangini said it was a "just a coaching decision."
Mangini said he wasn't sure if Jones would play in the Jets' next game at Green Bay on Dec. 3.
"We'll go through the week and see where we are," Mangini said. "We take personal conduct extremely seriously."
