5 NFL players who were arrested for their involvement in drug cases
Being an NFL player also means being a celebrity. Most players make millions of dollars during their careers, many of them are highly recognizable in the public.
NFL players are public figures and therefore their mistakes are rarely kept private. When they get into trouble for breaking the law, the public quickly hears about it, especially in the modern world of social media.
Drug charges against NFL players is nothing new. It's an unfortunate issue that has plagued the league for decades and has only escalated in recent years.
Here are five high-profile players who have been arrested on significant drug charges during their NFL careers.
#1 Jamal Lewis
Jamal Lewis helped the Baltimore Ravens win a Super Bowl ring during his dominant run with the team. He also won the Offensive Player of the Year award in 2003 after exceeding 2,000 rushing yards in a single season. He ended his career with the Cleveland Browns.
Lewis was arrested in 2004 for his involvement in a drug deal. He was charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine. He spent four months in federal prison for his role in the case.
#2 Santonio Holmes
Santonio Holmes spent nine seasons in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, and Chicago Bears. He is best known for his performance during Super Bowl XLIII, where he made a miraculous game-winning touchdown reception and was named the MVP of the game.
The 2008 #Steelers didn’t flinch after surrendering the lead in Super Bowl 43.
So much confidence from that team, especially from Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes. You just knew they would find a way to win. https://t.co/GznWJ294ou
During the 2008 NFL season, when he was still with the Steelers, Holmes was arrested and cited for possession of marijuana. He missed one regular-season game because of the incident, which he issued a public apology for.