Cooper may still be disciplined by NFL
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers team officials said special teams player Jarrod Cooper will remain on the roster despite his second arrest in under two years for driving while intoxicated, the Charlotte Observer reported Thursday. “I view everything case by case,” coach John Fox told the paper. “This is something we take very, very seriously. I think our track record speaks for that. This is something that we’re dealing with the best way we know how and the means we have to do it. It’s not something we take lightly by any stretch.” The NFL could be involved in disciplining Cooper. Players can be fined or suspended for off-field conduct, but that wouldn’t happen until legal matters are resolved. Cooper was arrested during a traffic stop Tuesday and charged with driving while intoxicated and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. Cooper “It’s beyond embarrassing,” Cooper said. “This is the second time this has happened in a year and a half. Coming off a big win, I’m kind of putting a damper on things. I embarrassed my teammates, my coaches, [team owner] Mr. [Jerry] Richardson and myself. There’s a problem. We’re trying to address some things off the field in the personal life and trying to get some things done.” Cooper was also charged with speeding and driving with a revoked license. Police said Cooper had pain and anti-anxiety medication in his possession and there were no indications they had been prescribed to him. He already has a drunken driving conviction on his record stemming from a one-car accident in February 2002. Cooper received a 90-day suspended sentence and was placed on one year’s probation in August 2002 following his first arrest. The third-year player told the paper he has a problem and said he’ll work to correct it. It’s likely he’ll be fined by the team and strongly encouraged to enter counseling. “[Cooper] obviously is going to require some help,” Fox said. “We’re going to give him those avenues. It will be strictly enforced. What the league ends up doing with it is out of my control until the legal matters take care of themselves. It’s a big responsibility by us and by him.” Source : sports.espn.go.com |