If it's good enough for Warren Moon....

Isn't he getting married? I saw him in Kirkland a couple weekends ago, but he didn't seem to be drinking that much and left pretty early...
Next time I see him I will have to buy him a drink... or give him a ride!

Say it ain't so Lofa!

Big freakin deal. Call me when he goes all Leonard Little on someone.

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.

Stupid!

Stupid!

Stupid!

Dumb mistake, and he's going to pay for it not only in court costs, fines, etc. but in a blow to his image. Real lapse in judgment there.

Here's hoping he owns up to the mistake and doesn't repeat it in the future. I'd like to think that will be the case.

"Call me when he goes all Leonard Little on someone."

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.

Understand you point about this being a stupid mistake by a 20 something and .15 isn't that bad but if he would have killed someone then it would be more then just a mistake. Be interesting to see how the team handles it

Young men screw up sometimes. It is what Lofa does after this incident that matters. I don't expect Lofa to be a repeat offender.

Does this mean a suspension of any kind, in violation of NFL substance abuse policy? 1 game or a fine, anyone know of similar incidents in the Goodell era?

I love Tatupu! However, what a blow to his image and reputation. It is so frustrating to have your kids looking up to a guy like this only to have him screw up in public like this. I guess everyone is human and able to make a big mistake. Just happy no one got hurt.

I'd like to know if, as part of their good-citizen program, teams coach players to use cabs or limos -when they leave their house- if they know or expect they're going to be drinking.

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.

While I hope that Lofa Tatupu sincerely apologizes and pays for his indescretion, and continues to play at an All-Pro level, I have a problem with the way some of you are rationalizing his mistake. Would you be saying "well, he's in his 20s" or "he didn't kill anyone like Leonard Little did" if Lofa wasn't a 3-time Pro-Bowler? What if Shaun Alexander was charged with a DUI (especially while he was still a Seahawk)? Hell, in 2004 Shaun made the "stabbed in the back" comment and apologized shortly afterward, and some fans still use it against him today.

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.

Considering it's his first strike, and Jerramy Stevens has still yet to be suspended after several offenses, I don't think Lofa gets suspended for this.

Hell, if the NFL suspended everyone who was arrested on their first offense, a third of the league would be suspended. :P

He's still my favorite player in the league! Everyone makes mistakes....Everyone!!

He'll be cut and never play in NFL league again.

Seriously, Tatupu seams like the type of dude that's way too hard on himself. I'm sure no one is more upset at Tatupu than Tatupu.

There is a huge difference between a minor arrest like shoplifting/bouncing checks/etc and DUI. DUI (and blowing 2x the legal limit) is a much bigger deal.

The times have changed. It no longer acceptable to do. Ever. And there is a new conduct policy, too.

Goodbye captaincy.

I was thinking that after a zillion-dollar new contract Lofa could likely afford a cab - or limo for crying out loud!

Sure, half the lesson is you shouldn't drink and drive, but the other half that every Seahawk should be taught when they show up is that Kirkland police enforce traffic laws VERY STRINGENTLY! I grew up in the area and they have a traffic cop behind every corner.

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)

".15 isn't that bad"...yes it is.

anyone found the mug shot yet?

It will be interesting to see if Ruskells policies change... LOL some how I think he will make an exception...

Wait. So the lesson is don't drive drunk, but if you are going to drive drunk, then make sure you don't do it in Kirkland?

"There is a huge difference between a minor arrest like shoplifting/bouncing checks/etc and DUI. DUI (and blowing 2x the legal limit) is a much bigger deal."

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.

Court costs for fighting a DUI generally are in the $5000 to $7000 dollar range. Something tells me that Lofa will find the money to pay...

"Court costs for fighting a DUI generally are in the $5000 to $7000 dollar range. Something tells me that Lofa will find the money to pay..."

$5k-$7k?

It's a bummer piece of news, esp from this guy, who along with Hass is basically the poster boy for the team -- but I agree completely with the poster above who said that what matters is how Lofa responds to this. If he's guilty, he needs to plead that way, make the appropriate statement, and never let this happen again. All of which I expect to happen.

And then it becomes a non-story.

osoviejo @ 14:04 - AMEN to that!

Since the first thing affected by alcohol is judgement, "am I OK to drive?" is never a decision a person can make after the fact.