The behavior of current NFL players with felonies has always been a popular topic of debate among sports enthusiasts.
While the league aims to prioritize integrity and fair conduct, reality challenges this stance. With instances of DUIs, assault, and even domestic violence involving NFL players, the question arises of how these legal issues impact not just individual teams but also the NFL’s broader public image and credibility.
Key Takeaways:
- The NFL faces significant off-field issues, including 31 player arrests in 2015 alone, ranging from domestic violence to DUIs.
- Deflategate served as a distraction from the real legal troubles plaguing the league, with a focus shifting away from players’ misconduct.
- Despite high-profile cases, many NFL players’ transgressions remain underreported, with the league often prioritizing its image over disciplining individuals.
- The continuous cycle of player misconduct and minimal league action underscores the complex relationship between sports fame, legal issues, and accountability.
Top 27 Current NFL Players with Felonies
- Jared Allen – Arrested twice for DUI.
- Jonathan Babineaux – Faced drug and animal abuse charges.
- Khalif Barnes – Arrested for reckless driving and DUI.
- Ahmad Bradshaw – Arrested for drug possession and probation violation.
- Kenny Britt – Has multiple arrests including for DUI, drugs, and theft.
- Marcell Dareus – Faced reckless driving and drug charges.
- Elvis Dumervil – Arrested for assault/battery and weapons charges.
- Nick Fairley – Arrested for DUI and drugs.
- Everson Griffen – Arrested for assault/battery and alcohol-related offenses.
- Vincent Jackson – Arrested three times, including for DUI.
- Sebastian Janikowski – Faced assault/battery, alcohol, DUI, and drug charges.
- Adam Jones – Multiple arrests, including for assault/battery and drugs.
- Marshawn Lynch – Arrested for DUI, weapons, drugs, and reckless driving.
- Brandon Marshall – Arrested for domestic violence, DUI, and disorderly conduct.
- Rey Maualuga – Charged with assault/battery and DUI.
- Rolando McClain – Arrests include disorderly conduct and assault/battery.
- Von Miller – Faced license violation and failure to appear charges.
- William Moore – Arrested for domestic violence and traffic/license violation.
- Adrian Peterson – Arrested for resisting arrest and child abuse.
- Matt Prater – Arrested twice for DUI.
- Joseph Randle – Faced drugs and theft charges.
- Jerome Simpson – Arrested for drugs and DUI.
- Aldon Smith – Multiple arrests including for DUI, disorderly conduct, weapons, and drugs.
- Aqib Talib – Faced guns/weapons and assault/battery charges.
- Donte Whitner – Arrested for disorderly conduct and harassment.
- Charles Woodson – Arrested for alcohol-related offenses and DUI.
- Michael Vick – Involved in an illegal dogfighting ring and trespassing.
NFL Players Arrested? Is That a Common Thing?
With football action officially back, the NFL would love nothing more than to sweep all the off-field issues of its players under the rug and lure the focus of fans back to the gridiron.
And frankly, after an offseason full of mind-numbing Deflategate coverage, so would we.
However, if there was one thing Deflategate accomplished, it was drawing the media’s attention away from the all the real legal troubles NFL players ran into. And boy, was there a lot of that.
In 2015 alone, there have been 31 NFL players arrested, including six instances of domestic violence, five DUIs, three guns/weapons charges, and one shocking case of animal abuse, which featured former Falcons linebacker Prince Shembo killing his ex-girlfriend’s five-pound dog out of “self-defense.”
Atlanta released Shembo once the story broke, but now that he’s taken a plea deal, the Falcons are considering bringing him back.
Keep in mind that when Shembo was a student at Notre Dame, he also allegedly sexually assaulted a student at nearby St. Mary’s College who killed herself two weeks after the incident.
So, forgive us if we think that crime in the NFL hasn’t quite gotten the coverage it deserved this year.
According to the USA Today database used to create our interactive NFL Arrests topic, 132 NFL players have been arrested multiple times since 2000. Aldon Smith became the latest player to add to his criminal record in late August, when he was arrested on his third DUI charge.
While some of these are more serious than others, it’s still difficult to comprehend why these millionaires would compromise their lucrative careers by breaking the law multiple times.
Then again, while the NFL is worried about how inflated its balls are, many of these players go unpunished by the league for their transgressions.
We’ll go through each player in alphabetical order, which means we’re starting with one of the most accomplished defensive ends of this century.
Note: Not every arrest listed in this article led to a conviction.
#27. Jared Allen
Known for his fierce gameplay, Allen’s career faced setbacks after two DUIs in 2006, raising early questions about discipline and league standards.
Arrests: 2
Classifications: DUI (2)
Description 1: Accused of second drunken-driving incident in five months. Also charged with speeding.
Description 2: Pulled over for speeding, accused of drunk driving in Overland Park, Kansas.
Allen served a two-game suspension for these arrests, which both occurred in 2006.
#26. Jonathan Babineaux
Facing drug and animal abuse accusations, Babineaux’s story reflects the complexities of off-field behavior intersecting with a high-profile sports career.
Arrests: 2
Classifications: Drugs, Animal Abuse
Description 1: Pulled over for a traffic violation in Gwinnett County, Ga., accused of marijuana possession.
Description 2: Accused of killing girlfriend’s pit bull in Georgia (later acquitted on grounds of self-defense).
#25. Khalif Barnes
A skilled offensive tackle, Barnes’s DUI and reckless driving charges cast shadows over his on-field achievements, highlighting the NFL’s ongoing struggles with player conduct.
Arrests: 2
Classifications: Reckless Driving, DUI
Description 1: Police say he drove through a yard and crashed his Mercedes into a tree, then fled the scene. Charged with violating DUI probation.
Description 2: After being pulled over, he accused police officer of racism and called Jacksonville a hick town. Accused of drunken driving, he later apologized, pleaded no contest and received six months probation, 50 hours community service, $650 fines and costs.
#24. Ahmad Bradshaw
A talented running back, Bradshaw’s drug possession and probation violations prompted brief suspensions, yet teams were quick to re-sign him when healthy.
Arrests: 2
Classifications: Drugs, Probation Violation
Description 1: Pulled over in Preble County, Ohio, for traffic violation, accused of marijuana possession.
Description 2: Undisclosed probation violation stemming from undisclosed incident when he was a juvenile.
Bradshaw is the only player in this article not currently on a 53-man roster, but he is expected to be signed by a team once he fully recovers from a broken fibula and serves a one-game suspension related to his marijuana arrest.
#23. Kenny Britt
One of the NFL’s most frequently arrested players, Britt’s seven charges span from theft to DUI, making him a focal point of the league’s accountability issues.
Arrests: 7
Classifications: License/Traffic Violation (3), Theft, Drugs, DUI, Reckless Driving
Description 1: Charged with drunken driving after trying to pass through security gate at Fort Campbell Army post in Kentucky.
Description 2: Turned himself in on two outstanding warrants that say he provided inaccurate information on driver’s license applications.
Description 3: Accused of resisting arrest in New Jersey after police suspected him of trying to hide a marijuana cigar.
Description 4: Accused of eluding police with car chase in his hometown of Bayonne, N.J., speeding and obstruction.
Description 5: Accused of theft by deception after allegedly not paying two bail bonds companies in New Jersey on behalf of his friend.
Description 6: Pulled over in Nashville for windows in Camaro tinted too dark, then cited for misdemeanor driving without a valid license.
Description 7: Pulled over in Glen Ridge., N.J., and had three outstanding traffic warrants.
#22. Marcell Dareus
A promising talent, Dareus’s reckless driving and drug charges brought unwanted attention, reminding fans of the pitfalls that can follow early success.
Arrests: 2
Classifications: Reckless Driving, Drugs
Description 1: Accused of crashing his Jaguar into a tree, drag racing and reckless endangerment in upstate New York.
Description 2: Pulled over for speeding in Alabama, accused of felony drug possession.
#21. Elvis Dumervil
Dumervil’s arrest for aggravated assault and firearm display in Miami underscored the complex lives of NFL stars beyond the field.
Arrests: 2
Classifications: Assault/Battery (2), Guns/Weapons
Description 1: Accused of aggravated assault with a firearm in Miami after allegedly lifting his shirt to show a gun to a motorist.
Description 2: Cited for assault, disturbing the peace after alleged altercation with parking lot attendant at Invesco Field after he forgot his credentials.
#20. Nick Fairley
Fairley’s DUI and drug-related arrests tarnished his promising start, serving as a reminder of the league’s alcohol and substance struggles.
Arrests: 2
Classifications: DUI, Drugs
Description 1: Arrested on DUI charge and eluding police in Mobile, Ala., after being pulled over for going 100 mph.
Description 2: Pulled over in Mobile, Ala., charged with marijuana possession after police found marijuna cigarettes. Charge dropped after he passed drug test.
#19. Everson Griffen
Griffen’s 2011 double arrests involving alcohol-related offenses spotlighted the challenges players face with substance use and mental health.
Arrests: 2
Classifications: Assault/Battery, Alcohol
Description 1: Pulled over near USC campus, subdued by Taser after allegedly assaulting officer during traffic stop.
Description 2: Accused of being drunk in public in Hollywood, Calif.
These arrests were two days apart from each other in late January 2011 in Los Angeles.
#18. Vincent Jackson
Jackson’s three DUI and license violations raised questions about repeat offenses, despite his efforts to maintain a strong professional image.
Arrests: 3
Classifications: DUI (2), License violation
Description 1: Pulled over for playing loud music, cited for driving with a suspended license and expired tags.
Description 2: Pulled over for speeding and weaving, failed sobriety tests in San Diego, accused of drunken driving in 2008 GMC Sierra.
Description 3: Pulled over in San Diego, charged with drunk driving. Blood-alcohol measured at .13.
#17. Sebastian Janikowski
With multiple arrests spanning from assault to drug possession, Janikowski’s troubles mirrored the league’s challenge in handling such high-profile controversies.
Arrests: 3
Classifications: Assault/Battery, Alcohol, DUI, Drugs
Description 1: Accused of misdemeanor assault, vandalism and public drunkenness after fight at supper club in Walnut Creek, Calif.
Description 2: Pulled over in Oakland, accused of drunk driving. Blood-alcohol measured at .20.
Description 3: Accused of possession of a controlled substance, the designer drug GHB, after police approached his car and found suspicious substance. Acquitted by jury.
#16. Adam Jones
One of the most controversial figures in the NFL, Jones’s numerous arrests for assault, drugs, and disorderly conduct have long symbolized the league’s struggle with repeat offenders.
Arrests: 9
Classifications: Assault/Battery (3), Guns/Weapons (2), Drugs (2), Alcohol (2), Disorderly Conduct
Description 1: Accused of assault and vandalism after being asked to leave club in Nashville.
Description 2: Accused of throwing a punch at an officer and marijuana possession in Fayetteville, Ga. He had been in his parked Bentley.
Description 3: Accused of smoking marijuana after he emerged from Corvette reeking of marijuana. Officers were serving a warrant on his home in Georgia.
Description 4: Accused of being drunk, shouting profanities and arguing with a woman outside club in Tennessee.
Description 5: Accused of spitting in a woman’s face at Nashville nightclub.
Description 6: Surrended in Las Vegas, charged with felony coercion in connection to strip club shooting that paralyzed a man.
Description 7: Accused of disorderly conduct while intoxicated and resisting arrest at bar in Cincinnati.
Description 8: Accused of punching a woman outside a Cincinnati bar on June 5, 2013. It is his eighth run-in with the law since 2005.
Description 9: He was the passenger in a car pulled over for speeding and was cited for disorderly conduct. The driver was charged with drunk driving.
#15. Marshawn Lynch
Despite being one of the league’s most dynamic players, Lynch’s career was also marked by arrests for DUI and weapon charges, showing the dual nature of sports fame.
Arrests: 3
Classifications: DUI, Guns/Weapons, Drugs, Reckless Driving
Description 1: Pulled over in Oakland, Calif., and taken to Santa Rita Jail on DUI charge.
Description 2: Police in Culver City, Calif., said they checked car without tags and smelled marijuana, then found gun in trunk, plus marijuana cigarettes. Pleaded guilty to misdemeanor gun charge, 80 hours community service, three years probation. No drug charge. NFL suspended him three games.
Description 3: Accused of hitting woman with his Porsche SUV in Buffalo and driving away. Woman required seven stiches for cut, plus hip bruise. Pleaded guilty to failure to exercise due care to pedestrian, license revoked, $150 fine and surcharge.
#14. Brandon Marshall
Marshall’s arrests for domestic violence and DUI have been juxtaposed with his mental health advocacy, bringing mixed perceptions among fans and officials.
Arrests: 4
Classifications: Domestic Violence (2), DUI, Disorderly Conduct
Description 1: Accused of disorderly conduct in Atlanta after fight with fiance.
Description 2: Accused of hitting his girlfriend on March 4, 2008, misdemeanor battery.
Description 3: Pulled over for driving erratically in Denver, charged with drunk driving. Blood-alcohol registered at .116.
Description 4: Charged with false imprisonment in dispute with girlfriend, accused of hitting her car window and blocking her taxi.
Since these arrests, the latest of which occurred in 2009, Marshall has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.
#13. Rey Maualuga
Known for his powerful presence on the field, Maualuga’s assault and DUI charges highlighted deeper issues with aggression and impulsive behavior.
Arrests: 2
Classifications: Assault/Battery, DUI
Description 1: Charged with misdemeanor assault after bar employee said Maualuga hit him in the face.
Description 2: Charged with drunk driving in Covington, Ky., after police said he struck two parked vehicles and parking meter. Blood-alcohol .16.
#12. Rolando McClain
McClain’s multiple charges, including assault and weapons violations, illustrate the clash between potential NFL stardom and personal decision-making.
Arrests: 3
Classifications: Disorderly Conduct, Traffic violation, Assault/Battery, Guns/Weapons
Description 1: Accused of resisting arrest at park in Decatur, Ala., after police responded to report of disturbance
Description 2: Pulled over for window-tint violation in Alabama, accused of giving false name to police.
Description 3: Accused of discharging a gun within city limits of Decatur, Ala., and putting a gun next to a man’s head in fight.
#11. Von Miller
Miller’s license violations and failure to appear in court were minor compared to others, yet they reflected the high expectations placed on NFL players.
Arrests: 2
Classifications: License violation, Failure to Appear
Description 1: Pulled over for speeding in Arapahoe County, Colo., accused of driving with a suspended license. Second traffic issue in six weeks.
Description 2: Arrested near Denver on warrant for failure to appear in court on previous traffic charges, including careless driving and driving without a license.
#10. William Moore
Moore’s domestic violence and traffic charges led to discussions on off-field behavior affecting professional athletes’ public personas.
Arrests: 2
Classifications: Domestic Violence, Traffic/License Violation
Description 1: Accused of grabbing a woman by the shoulder in a dispute, charged with simple battery.
Description 2: Accused of speeding, driving with a suspended license, and failure to appear in court for a previous ticket.
#9. Adrian Peterson
His high-profile child abuse case shed light on the NFL’s difficult handling of family and behavioral issues, especially with league icons.
Arrests: 2
Classifications: Resisting Arrest, Child Abuse
Description 1: Arrested in downtown Houston on charge of resisting arrest at a nightclub after he “assumed an aggressive stance.”
Description 2: Grand jury indicted him on a felony charge of injury to a child. Accused of injuring his 4-year-old son with a tree branch while disciplining him.
#8. Matt Prater
Two DUIs cost Prater his job, emphasizing the league’s shifting stance on substance issues amid heightened media scrutiny.
Arrests: 2
Classifications: DUI (2)
Description 1: Accused of drunk driving after allegedly backing his Chevy Trailblazer into a parked car and fleeing the scene.
Description 2: Accused of drunken driving in Orlando, Fla., refusing the breath test.
#7. Joseph Randle
A string of theft and drug-related arrests cemented Randle’s reputation as a troubled player struggling to balance fame and personal stability.
Arrests: 2
Classifications: Drugs, Theft
Description 1: Accused of marijuana possession in Wichita, Kan., after report of a domestic disturbance at the hotel. No signs of injury, police said.
Description 2: Accused of shoplifting at store in Frisco, Texas, after allegedly being caught in the act on video.
#6. Jerome Simpson
Simpson’s drug trafficking and DUI charges cast a cloud over his career, underscoring the dangers NFL players face with risky off-field choices.
Arrests: 3
Classifications: Drugs (2), DUI
Description 1: Pulled over and suspected of marijuana possession, open container, and violating terms of his driver’s license.
Description 2: Accused of drunk driving after police responded to a report of a stalled vehicle. He failed sobriety tests.
Description 3: Accused of marijuana trafficking after 2.5 pounds of it were delivered to his home the previous September.
#5. Aldon Smith
Smith’s repeated DUIs, weapons, and disorderly conduct charges signaled systemic issues within the league’s disciplinary practices.
Arrests: 5
Classifications: DUI (3), Disorderly Conduct, Guns/Weapons, Drugs
Description 1: Accused of hitting a parked vehicle with his vehicle, being under the influence of alcohol and vandalism in Santa Clara, Calif.
Description 2: Accused of making a false bomb threat at Los Angeles airport after being selected for secondary screening.
Description 3: The case stems from a house party in June 2012, in which Smith was stabbed. Three felony counts of illegal possession of an assault weapon.
Description 4: Accused of drunk driving and marijuana possession after crashing his pickup truck in San Jose, Calif.
Description 5: Accused of drunken driving in Miami Beach.
Smith was released by the 49ers in August for his multiple brushes with the law but was signed by Oakland on Sept. 11. A pending suspension from the league is expected.
#4. Aqib Talib
Talib’s weapons and assault-related charges painted a complex picture of a player trying to balance aggression in and out of the game.
Arrests: 2
Classifications: Guns/Weapons, Assault/Battery
Description 1: Police near Dallas issued a warrant accusing him of firing a gun near the head of his sister’s boyfriend.
Description 2: Accused of battery and resisting arrest after allegedly hitting a cab driver in Tampa in the neck and ear.
#3. Donte Whitner
Whitner’s disorderly conduct and harassment charges added to his complicated legacy, exemplifying the challenges players face with image control.
Arrests: 2
Classifications: Disorderly Conduct, Harassment
Description 1: Police said they used Taser to subdue him at Cleveland club and charged him with aggravated disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
Description 2: Accused of harassment in a dispute at his residence involving his girlfriend.
#2. Charles Woodson
Despite his accolades, Woodson’s DUIs remain a blemish on his record, pointing to the toll of fame and public scrutiny in the NFL.
Arrests: 2
Classifications: Alcohol, DUI
Description 1: Briefly jailed in downtown Oakland after allegedly refusing to leave a woman’s car around 4 a.m., accused of being drunk in public.
Description 2: Accused of drunk driving and driving with a suspended license in Ann Arbor, Mich. Blood-alcohol measured at .24.
#1. Michael Vick
Perhaps the most infamous case, Vick’s involvement in illegal dogfighting and subsequent prison sentence remains a key example of the severe impact of legal troubles on NFL careers.
Arrests: 2
Classifications: Animal Abuse, Trespassing
Description 1: Grand jury indicted him and three others as part of a criminal dogfighting enterprise. Pleaded guilty, 23-month jail sentence. He served 19 months. NFL suspension until 2009.
Description 2: Accused of fishing in a private lake in Virginia. Charge dropped.
NFL’s Response to Players with Criminal Records
In light of ongoing legal troubles among NFL players, the league has maintained its stance on enforcing the Personal Conduct Policy as a central strategy for addressing misconduct.
This policy includes disciplinary measures for players involved in criminal activities, ranging from suspensions to fines and mandated rehabilitation programs. Despite its efforts, the NFL faces criticism over inconsistent enforcement, with some players facing harsher penalties while others receive more lenient treatment.
Additionally, the league has pledged to address systemic issues contributing to player misconduct, including mental health challenges and substance abuse, which are common themes in many cases.
The league’s approach reflects an acknowledgment of these complex factors.
In recent years, NFL representatives have highlighted their investment in resources for player well-being, such as counseling services and educational programs on managing public image and legal responsibilities.
However, critics argue that the policy remains reactive, often implemented only after public outcry or significant media attention.
Wrapping Up: The Impact of Off-Field Behavior on the NFL’s Reputation
The persistent issue of NFL players with felonies casts a long shadow over the league, impacting its reputation among fans and sponsors.
While the NFL’s enforcement of the Personal Conduct Policy shows its commitment to addressing these issues, ongoing cases demonstrate the challenge of balancing player discipline with public relations.
As player arrests and controversies persist, the league’s image management strategy faces an uphill battle.
Ultimately, the effectiveness of the NFL’s policies may depend on a stronger focus on proactive support and consistent enforcement to help players avoid legal trouble and maintain the league’s public standing.