Not that long ago, Jamal Anderson was the pride of Atlanta, a powerful running back for the Falcons who was smart and engaging. But off the field Anderson has proved to be a mess.
First, he was arrested for cocaine and marijuana possession when a police officer said he witnessed him snorting cocaine in a public bathroom in the Buckhead section of Atlanta in 2009. Those charges were later dismissed, according to his attorney, Jerry Froelich.
Now, on Sunday, it was learned that Anderson, 39, was charged with DUI. He was driving so slow he was impeding traffic, according to DeKalb police, outside of Atlanta. He was pulled over at 4:30 a.m. on Chamblee Tucker Road near I-85 and taken to jail, where he was released later Sunday after posting bond. The full police report is not yet available.
The former Pro Bowl running back was a fan favorite on the late ’90s Falcons teams, leading them to their first and only Super Bowl in 1999. The seventh-round draft pick out of the University of Utah rushed for a franchise-record 1,846 yards that season and popularized the iconic “Dirty Bird” end zone celebration. A knee injury two years later effectively ended his playing career.
Earlier this year, Anderson joined more than 100 retired players to sue the NFL, alleging that league officials hid the dangers of concussions from them.
