Cowboys continue Thug Culture

[Tiger Wench]

Unfortunately, this time it has corrupted a former Auburn man.  I am shocked, however, ESPN did not lead with "Former Auburn player arrested for DUI".

Dallas Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff's blood alcohol content was 0.16 percent -- twice the legal limit -- after his arrest for driving while intoxicated last week, blood test results revealed, according to Grapevine, Texas, police.

Ratliff was arrested in the early morning hours of Jan. 22 after his 2011 Ford pickup truck sideswiped an 18-wheeler and slammed into a median protector on State Highway 114. There were no injuries as a result of the crash, which caused major damage to the driver's side of Ratliff's truck.

The police report states that Ratliff, a four-time Pro Bowler and team captain, failed three field sobriety tests at the scene and refused to provide a breath specimen. A search warrant was issued for a blood sample at 2:55 a.m., almost two and a half hours after the police arrived at the scene of the accident.

Ratliff's arrest came less than two months after his backup, Josh Brent, was charged with intoxication manslaughter after a wreck that killed outside linebacker Jerry Brown, who was on the Cowboys' practice squad.

Blood results after the Dec. 8 accident, which occurred on the same highway as Ratliff's wreck about 16 miles away, revealed that Brent had a blood alcohol level of 0.189 percent.

Brent was indicted on one count of intoxication manslaughter and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. He also could receive probation. Brent is free on $100,000 bond and is required to wear an alcohol monitor.

Ratliff bonded out of the Grapevine jail the day of his arrest. A source told ESPNDallas.com that Ratliff and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones met the next day.

Ratliff and his agent, Mark Slough, have yet to comment on the arrest.

Calvin Hill, a consultant for the Cowboys' Player Development Program, said in a statement Monday afternoon that the team has been in communication with Ratliff regarding the incident and "will monitor the legal process and work within the NFL guidelines for player behavior moving forward."

Hill referenced the crash that killed Brown in his statement and said the Cowboys "know that one incident is too many."

"The critical goal is to effect the decision making process in the hours before the wrong decision is made," he said in the statement.

"Our player assistance programs in the areas of preventing incidents such as these are at the highest level in professional sports, but we are always looking to do better and for ways to improve.  We will continue to draw upon the best expertise and resources available, both internally and from outside the organization, to work toward being the best in the areas of education, prevention, and effecting the right decisions," Hill said.

According to the probable cause affidavit written by arresting officer Eric Barch, Ratliff was "verbally abusive several times" after being transported to the Grapevine jail. Ratliff had been "cooperative and courteous" at the scene of the accident, Barch wrote.

Ratliff, according to the affidavit, showed a total of 12 clues of intoxication while taking three field sobriety tests. Ratliff, who underwent season-ending surgery to repair a sports hernia on Dec. 13, complained after his arrest about prior injuries that could have affected his ability to perform two of the field sobriety tests, Barch wrote. The officer stated in his report that Ratliff did not have any difficulty moving around the crash scene.

Ratliff told the officer that he had been "chillin' with a homegirl" in Arlington, Texas, and was en route to his home in Southlake.

[Pell City Tiger]

I'm cutting Jay some slack on this one. He had just found out that Jerry Jones was about to hire Derek Dooley onto the coaching staff.

I would have had the same reaction.

[GH2001]

Welcome to last week

[DnATL]

Welcome to last week

Thanks!
Seems familiar

[Tiger Wench]

Welcome to last week

Was it posted?

If yes, SIAP.

If no, KMA.

I saw the follow up story and again, was shocked that ESPN did not find a way to bash Auburn.  I am sure al.com or some other bammer fish wraps did, however, lead with "Former Auburn player... ZOMG !!1!1! THUGS!  Bagman!  Cam Newton!!!"

Anyone see anything like that? Bueller?