With Aaron Hernandez sitting in jail on murder charges, the last thing the New England Patriots need is more police blotter material from their players. And yet, cornerback Alphonzo Dennard provided just that, frustrating the team and putting his status with the club in jeopardy.
In Lincoln, Nebraska, where he played college football, Dennard was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, refusing a chemical test and a driving infraction. According to the Lincoln World-Herald, Lincoln police Capt. Jason Stille said Dennard, 24, was pulled over and then cited at about 2 a.m. Thursday near 50th Street and Normal Boulevard.
He said Dennard, who was westbound on Normal in a Honda, was spotted by officers straddling a lane line between 50th and 56th Streets. He was later arrested.
Making it worse for Dennard, this is a continuation of legal troubles. In April 2012, a week before the NFL Draft, he was arrested and charged with assaulting a police officer in Lincoln. He fell in the draft all the way to the seventh round, where the Patriots selected him.
Five months ago, Dennard was convicted of assaulting the officer. He was sentenced to two years’ probation, 30 days in jail and 100 hours of community service. That sentence is expected to start in March 2014.
“The New England Patriots are extremely disappointed to learn of Alfonzo Dennard’s arrest. We take this matter very seriously and are working to get more information on the incident,” the team said in a release.
As a rookie, Dennard started seven games and registered 35 tackles, three interceptions and seven passes defended.
Dennard’s latest arrest could be considered a violation of his probation. He could also face disciplinary action from the Patriots and the NFL.
