McNair cleared--effectively

[infantrycak]

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) - Prosecutors seeking a DUI conviction against Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair received a setback Thursday when a judge ruled the arresting officer didn't have "sufficient basis" to pull him over.

Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Cheryl Blackburn granted McNair's request to suppress all evidence relating to the May 2003 stop, saying officer Shawn Taylor's observations did not provide "specific and articulable facts that (the) defendant was driving under the influence."

"The court does not condone any defendant driving a vehicle with a (blood alcohol content) of .18 percent, but this court is compelled to follow constitutional standards and there was not a sufficient basis to justify stopping (the) defendant," Blackburn wrote.

McNair also faces a weapons possession charge for the 9 mm handgun Taylor found in his vehicle. While he had a permit for the gun, state law forbids an intoxicated person from carrying a loaded weapon.

So the charges haven't been dropped officially, but they will be. Kind of a shame a guy can get caught at over twice the legal limit and get off completely.

[Mistril48]

I wonder what the league will do. I assume that driving while intoxicated will get you in the substance abuse program, or if you are already in it, will move you along. In a typical random drug test, the league would have evidence of substance abuse, without a criminal charge being laid, or a conviction. Is this what happened here?

[Carr Bombed]

Lets not be to quick to jump on this guy since we have a player in a similar situation. I dont condone drinking and driving or anyting but McNair has been nothing but a stand up guy. I guarantee nothing like this will ever happen agian with him. Ill give anybody a second chance because I'd want them to do the same with me, plus .18 really isnt that high. It only takes about 3 beers to put you over the legal limit, so he probably only had a 6 pack to drink. His only mistake is he didnt wait an hour or so before he got behind the wheel.

[SheTexan]

Why do people make excuses for drunks? How do all of you know McNair is such a "stand-up" guy? Do you live in his house? Do you live in Nashville? Is this based simply on the fact that he gives money away to charities, and seems to be a nice person in public? Are you a family member or a personal friend? HOW DO YOU KNOW THIS???

Everyone seems so quick to DEFEND simply because he is an almighty football player! He was DRUNK and got caught, same as Coleman! Neither one should get off the hook! Both should have to pay the price, same as any old joe on the street who gets caught doing the same thing!

[TexanNut]

Originally Posted by Carr Bomb

Lets not be to quick to jump on this guy since we have a player in a similar situation. I dont condone drinking and driving or anyting but McNair has been nothing but a stand up guy. I guarantee nothing like this will ever happen agian with him. Ill give anybody a second chance because I'd want them to do the same with me, plus .18 really isnt that high. It only takes about 3 beers to put you over the legal limit, so he probably only had a 6 pack to drink. His only mistake is he didnt wait an hour or so before he got behind the wheel.

I assume you are being sarcastic. IMO, there are no excuses or second chances in this area.

[Lucky]

Originally Posted by Carr Bomb

Ill give anybody a second chance because I'd want them to do the same with me, plus .18 really isnt that high...

I'll agree on giving people 2nd chances, but not that .18 blood alcohol level isn't that high. I was convicted of DWI when I was 22 and tested at .18. I was very drunk and the deputy who pulled me over possibly saved my life and the person I was with. I've taken my 2nd chance & ran with it and I don't worry about another DWI because I no longer drink. I'll bet that McNair takes advantage of this opportunity and doesn't repeat this behavior. But don't kid yourself that going over the legal limit is safe. I weigh about what McNair probably weighs and it takes a long hard night of drinking to get to that level. It's not an accident and there are no excuses.

[Mistril48]

Originally Posted by __V__

As far as I know the league won't do anything to a player if a court won't convict him.

Just a point of clarification ... I take it that we agree that when the players are tested positive, they are subject to the league's substance abuse preogram, without a criminal conviction? If that is true, then the question becomes when do they discipline for 'conduct unbecoming...' such as drinking and driving; assaults; language (was Shockey disciplined for his questionable comments about homosexuals?)?

V are you saying in those circumstances, there has to be a conviction?

[BornOrange]

I don't think McNair is already in the NFL's substance abuse program, but if he was then he would be punished for getting drunk.

Allegedly that is what got Derrick Russell in his latest trouble, that he had alcohol in his system in his last drug test. I think the mandatory suspension is half a season, but then the NFL has to decide whether he can actually be reinstated.

[ledzeppelin229]

Here is a great article that mentions that a little bit - about whether the player we see on the outside is the same when he's away from the cameras.

Great article about Robert Smith

Here's a small excerpt from the end which is mainly what applies...

"It was odd sometimes for me to be at the hospital on a Tuesday, doing community work, and to have people come up to me and say, 'This is really fantastic,' '' Smith said. "I haven't seen my son smile like this in a long time. Thank you.'

"And I'm dealing with the fact that I'm just a person, a grown man, and a single man at that. Being a single guy, I'm out the night before at a bar or a strip club or something like that. You know all the skeletons in your closet, and you feel almost embarrassed to have people admire you so much when you know all those things about yourself.''

[Mistril48]

Originally Posted by __V__

He's not in it ...

I suspect you are right, but isn't the question of whether a player is in the program or not a closely guarded secret. I thought I heard somewhere that even the coaches don't know. Once suspended, then we become aware that it is a second offense.

tend to commit mistake, But Steve has been an example to follow, he is a great QB, he is a great father, and a very good leader for my Titans.