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Sheldon Richardson Arrested After Going 143 MPH: Latest Details on Jets DT
New York Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson was charged with resisting arrest and multiple traffic violations after allegedly leading police on a high-speed chase in Missouri on July 14. He has since pleaded not guilty.
Richardson's status with the team is in jeopardy after the arrest, and it's unclear what sort of additional punishment the NFL will hand down at this time.
Continue for updates.
Richardson Issues 'Not Guilty' Plea
Monday, Aug. 31
Joe Holleman of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch noted Richardson's plea to the charge of resisting arrest and other traffic charges, reporting the defensive lineman was not at the hearing and that a trial had been set for Oct. 5.
Holleman also reported that resisting arrest carries a penalty of up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Richardson Gets Counseling, Doesn't Expect Jail Time
Wednesday, Aug. 26
Darryl Slater of the New York Daily News reported that while Richardson initially resisted counseling, he eventually agreed to participate after being encouraged by his parents to try it.
"They said [to] just try something different, and you never know what might happen," Richardson said, via Slater. "It's been working for me. If I said I was going to do it, I went in with full, open arms, and I wouldn't hesitate."
Richardson "does not really fear he'll get jail time" for his actions on July 14, per Seth Walder of the New York Daily News.
Maccagnan, Bowles Comment on Situation
Saturday, Aug. 1
"At this point in time, we'll see how it progresses," Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan said Saturday, via Rich Cimini of ESPN. "It's not about words right now, it's about actions—not actions on the football field—it's how he handles himself."
Dennis Waszak Jr. of the Associated Press reported that Jets head coach Todd Bowles said the team will let the legal situation play out, while Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday added the Jets are not sure if Richardson will play this season. Bowles said, per Brian Costello of the New York Post, that the team is prepared to win without Richardson. However, per Martin, Richardson doesn't expect the situation to impact his long-term status with the Jets.
Bowles also said Richardson clearly has a problem, per Darryl Slater of the Star-Ledger, while adding the player has lost a lot of trust, per Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
Finally, Bowles said he's concerned about Richardson as a person, per Waszak.
Richardson Comments on Arrest
Friday, July 31
"That was just one bad night," Richardson said, per Costello. "I thought it would be fun to show my family members something. They'd never been in a car like that before." However, per Slater, Richardson wouldn't divulge more details about that night.
Richardson said this is a wake-up call and that he has to and will do better, per Slater. Slater also reported there's a lot of concern in the Jets locker room, according to offensive lineman Willie Colon.
Per Martin, Richardson's message to Jets fans is: "Time heals all wounds."
Richardson Arrested After Going 143 MPH
Thursday, July 30
The 24-year-old was "clocked by police as going as fast as 143 mph" as they gave chase in St. Charles County, per Mark Schlinkmann of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Police allege Richardson attempted to flee after the officers stopped his Bentley and another vehicle that was speeding. He was eventually pulled over in the driveway of a home in an adjacent neighborhood.
At the time of his arrest, Richardson was driving with two other adults and a 12-year-old child. He was charged with resisting arrest along with "exceeding the speed limit, following too closely, failing to use lights and failing to obey a traffic signal." A resisting arrest conviction carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail.
Rand Getlin of NFL.com provided complete details from the arrest:
On Friday, Cimini of ESPN New York reported Richardson's arraignment date would be Aug. 31.
A Jets defensive player also added, per ESPN's Josina Anderson, "The reaction is, we're going to support our brother. We're here for him. We got his back. Whatever comes his way, hopefully he understands that he has people there that's in his corner. I think he's going to be alright."
After discussing the details of the incident with Anderson, the player added:
That sounds pretty terrible...but I know that sometimes things may come out and sound a certain way, and come across a certain way, but we don't necessarily know every detail inside and out. ... You just never really know exactly how it played out, exactly what happened. I mean, I'm (not) really here to judge that man. I'm really in no position to judge nobody. Like I said, I'm here for him. ... I know it's a (expletive) up situation.
Richardson, who made his first Pro Bowl in 2014, is already facing a four-game suspension for a violation of the NFL's substance-abuse policy. Reports indicated he tested positive for marijuana.
"I apologize for letting down my family, teammates, this organization and the fans," Richardson said in a statement after the suspension, per NFL.com 's Dan Hanzus. "However, words aren't enough. This is something that can only be addressed by how I handle myself from this point on. I don't want this to take away from what the team is trying to accomplish. While I won 't be there at the start of the regular season, I will do whatever I can to support my teammates until I 'm able to return to the field."
He also took to Twitter to apologize for the suspension:
Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman reported, per sources, that Richardson could face severe fallout from the most recent incident:
Police said there was a "very strong odor of marijuana" in Richardson's car, per Cimini. There is no word at this time whether Richardson will face any charges related to drug use. If he does get charged with additional crimes, any NFL punishment he faces would fall under the league's personal conduct policy.
There is no real precedent for a significant punishment for a speeding violation, but given Richardson's off-field issues, things don't look promising for the 2013 Defensive Rookie of the Year. First-round pick Leonard Williams will likely take over at the right defensive end spot in Richardson's absence.
Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.