By: Tyler Ward
Could it get any more embarrassing for the Indianapolis Colts? In a season plagued with injuries, it has gotten worse for the Colts as they are now looking like this year's version of the Cincinnati Bengals.
With the Colts on a bye week, it appears that punter Pat McAfee wanted to take advantage of it. The punter was arrested for public intoxication. Police say that McAfee took a swin in an Indianapolis city canal - the 23-year old told police, "I am drunk." He had difficulty explaining to police why he was completely wet, as he stood in a popular neighborhood, primarily known for it's nightlife.
The Indianapolis police also said that McAfee's blood-alcohol content level was 0.15, almost twice the legal limit to drive. Police made the arrest around 5 A.M. and McAfee was released somewhere around noon, almost six hours after his initial arrest.
Police were called by a frantic woman, who said that a shirtless man approached her car. The woman apparently thought that McAfee was trying to get in her car, so she ran a red light and then proceeded to call 911.
When police arrived, McAfee reportedly told them that he was waiting for a friend to come get him. He also told the officers that he was planning on taking a taxi home. He then asked if he could walk home, but the officers decided to arrest the punter. According to a report, McAfee reeked of alcohol - his eyes were also red and his speech was completely slurred. Officers also said that McAfee was so drunk, that they had to help him stand up, so he could use the breathalyzer.
The Colts had already started practicing before McAfee was released, so the punter did not make it to the field. By that time, radio and television hosts had already turned the punter's story into a joke phenomenon. The Colts, along with their fans, really didn't find any humor in it. McAfee was suspended for their next game against the Houston Texans, so the Colts will have to sign somebody to replace the West Virginia native. The punter could also receive penalties from the NFL for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
McAfee's arrest marks the fourth time this year that a Colts player has been arrested because of an alcohol-related incident.
In January, Colts receiver Taj Smith was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving. Smith is not currently on the Colts roster, as he was cut September 4.
In August, defensive lineman John Gill was arrested on public intoxication. However, there is more behind the story. It turns out that police found the player passed out in a ditch (good job, right?) The charge would be dropped, but Bill Polian was not too happy about the arrest. He placed Gill in a roster category that would make Gill miss the entire season and he would not be able to see the field. At least the Colts ar trying to make examples of their players.
On September 3, defensive tackle Fili Moala was arrested for speeding, public intoxication, and driving while intoxicated. However, Moala has played the entire season and did not miss any time for the incident.
Colts head coach Jim Caldwell told media personnel, "I talk about it more often than the bye weeks. But that's not the issue. What I've been doing hasn't been enough. So the fact of the matter is we've got to get it straightened out. We talk about it, we talk about it often," Caldwell said. "One time is too many and we've had a few more than we'd like."
