Associated Press Posted April 19 2004, 11:01 AM EDT
MIAMI BEACH -- New England Patriots cornerback Ty Law was arrested after he allegedly led police on a brief foot chase through a popular nightclub district, officials said.
Law was driving his 2004 Rolls-Royce early Saturday morning in the South Beach section of the city when an officer flagged him down for a lane violation, according to a report filed by Miami Beach police.
The 30-year-old Pro Bowl player initially pulled over, but police said he sped off, prompting them to chase him about half a block until he stopped again. The officers then told Law to put his hands behind his back, but he ``became upset and pulled away from our grasp'' and ran off, they said.
Police spokesman Bobby Hernandez said Law ``half-sprinted'' toward a condominium along the same block of Collins Avenue before the officers caught up with him after a short chase. Law told the two officers ``not to touch him because he is a professional athlete,'' police said.
Law was charged with failure to obey a police officer and resisting an officer, both misdemeanors.
``He didn't want to go to jail and he didn't want the police to tell him what to do. And that was the problem,'' Hernandez said.
``He decided that he's above the law and he's not and that's why he was arrested,'' Hernandez said.
Law was taken to the Miami-Dade County Jail after his arrest and released early Saturday morning on $1,500 bond.
Law's agent told The Boston Globe that one of the officers allegedly used excessive force and tossed Law's wallet in his face.
``Basically, it was a routine traffic stop that turned into a misunderstanding due to an overzealous police officer,'' agent Carl Poston said. Hernandez denied the allegation and said Law was welcome to file a complaint with the department's internal affairs division.
Law, reached at his Plantation home by The Associated Press, declined comment and referred calls to his attorney.
Patriots spokesman Stacey James said the team was ``aware of the reports. We're going to work internally to gather more information.''
In December 2000, Law ran into trouble when U.S. Customs officials found several Ecstasy pills in his bag after he was leaving Canada with two other players.
Law said the drug belonged to his cousin, but paid a $700 administrative fine at the scene and was released.
That same year, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick suspended Law for the season finale against the Miami Dolphins, a move that cost Law his $87,500 paycheck for one game.
More recently, Law has said he no longer wants to play for New England because of a dispute over his contract, which has two more years. He wanted an extension that would have made him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, but negotiations have stalled.
In 1995, Law was New England's first-round draft pick, and four years later, he signed a $50 million contract, one of the richest in league history.
See, it was all a mistake. It was really Ty's cousin driving the car at the time. Hey, the story worked at the Canadian border with the drug possession charge, why not roll it out again?
With God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.
So THAT'S what happened to Michael Irvin's old "Don't you know who I am?" excuse. I'd been wondering.
And I heard Ty was with good ol' Terry Glenn when all this happened. What'd she do?
Star wipe, and...we're out. Thrillin' ain't easy.
THE THRILL ACW-NWA Wisconsin Home Video Technical Director...& A2NWO 4 Life! (Click the big G or here to hear the Packers Fight Song in RealAudio...or try .AU, .WAV or .MIDI!)
Man, Glenn can't even get away from a cornerback in the friggin' offseason.
THE QUEST FOR LORD STANLEY'S CUP
Tied for 9th: St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, Nashville Predators, Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks, Ottawa Senators Tied for 5th: Tied for 3rd: Second: The Champion:
Lord, please let Bryant Gumbel think that because the game is on NBC and CBS it means he doesn't have to show up and they can bring Dick Enberg over from the radio side to replace him.