Eric D. Williams took over the Seahawks beat and Seahawks Insider blog in December. Williams has covered the Seahawks, Sonics and high school sports for The News Tribune since joining the paper in 2006. Eric lives in Tacoma with his wife and two children.
Tacoma News Tribune columnist Dave Boling also contributes to the Seahawks Insider blog.
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Frank just called me with this. He said he's trying to get a police report, and he'll have more details later. Anyway:
According to a report on KJR 950-AM, Seahawks middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu was arrested late Friday – or one day after the team's minicamp ended – on a DUI charge.
The report when on to say Tatupu's blood alcohol level was .15.
COMMENTS:
While it's stupid, and a public relations nightmare, DUIs are handed out these days like breath mints at a garlic festival.
These are young men in their 20s that think they're invincible and make poor choices. I remember when I was in my 20s, and if I was making even half the scratch of Lofa, I'd be either dead or in jail.
Sure we expect more out of Lofa, since he's a team leader and seemingly focused on his profession. But it's just a stupid mistake.
Here's the problem with that thought process - they both made the same decision: drive after drinking.
The result that Leonard Little's decision created was much worse and obviously more tragic, but at it's core it was the same bad choice that Lofa (apparently) made here. I'm not saying throw the book at Lofa, or let Little off the hook, but you have to seperate the result from the decisions and intentions.
A bad choice is a bad choice - these guys get that drilled into them on the football field (for example, taking the wrong gap in run defense - maybe this time it didn't result in a TD run, but keep doing it and eventually it will) but somehow don't translate it to life in general.
Players are going to drink and get drunk no matter what. Making good decisions -after- you're loaded is probably asking too much. So focus on the decision you make before you leave the house, before you have the first drink. Leave your car at home.
I'm not saying cut Lofa from the team, but don't not downplay his mistake either. And if you've ever criticized Shaun for his comment, there's no way you should be giving Lofa anything close to a free pass.
Hell, if the NFL suspended everyone who was arrested on their first offense, a third of the league would be suspended. :P
The times have changed. It no longer acceptable to do. Ever. And there is a new conduct policy, too.
Goodbye captaincy.
This is no secret, so the team ought to be communicating it to the players. In fact it should be part of the rules the players have to abide by. NO DRIVING IN KIRKLAND WHATSOEVER! Wait til training camp moves to Renton. The RPD has more pressing matters to spend their time on then traffic infractions. (stabbings at downtown bus station for one)
How so? At the very least a theft charge will be a gross misdemeanor, just like a DUI, or greater depending on the dollar value. And theft-related convictions mean you get to have your credibility questioned if you take the stand later on in life since it's a crime of dishonesty.
First DUIs are usually resolved pretty favorably if the client makes some showing that they're taking this seriously, and I'm pretty sure Tatupu can cough up a couple bucks for a drug/alchol eval. At this point, it's a disappointing, but legally speaking...it's but a blip on the radar.
And then it becomes a non-story.
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