Sports

POSTED: Thursday, Jun. 25, 2009

NFL: Seahawks fullback arrested on suspicion of DUI

Observed by police repeatedly weaving across the roadway and following too close to another vehicle, Seattle Seahawks fullback Owen Schmitt was arrested in Black Diamond on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol a just before midnight Saturday evening.

A vehicle, a black Jeep driven by Schmitt, repeatedly weaved over the center line and was observed following the car in front of it at about a _ car length for three blocks, according to an officer’s report at the scene. Officers also observed that Schmitt’s Jeep was lifted and the whole axle was exposed, and that the Jeep did not have required mud flaps. Officers pulled Schmitt over.

Schmitt, according to the report from the scene, stated to officers that he only had three beers, He was asked by officers to get out of the truck and walk to the back of his vehicle, where officers observed him stumble as he walked toward the rear of his black Jeep. Schmitt was cooperative, but failed a sobriety test at the scene and was taken into custody.

According to the report, Schmitt, 24, later submitted to another sobriety test, resulting in a blood-alcohol content of .151 and .161. The legal limit in the state of Washington is .08. Officers issued Schmitt a criminal citation for DUI and released him from custody.

Schmitt is scheduled for an arraignment on July 8. He released a statement on Wednesday through the team expressing regret for his actions.

“I sincerely apologize to the team, the NFL, the fans and my family and friends for my actions and my poor judgment,” Schmitt said in a prepared statement. “I fully understand the seriousness of this matter, and I am disappointed in myself. I am committed to earning back the trust of everyone affected.”

A second-year player selected in the fifth round by Seattle out of West Virginia, Schmitt is considered the front runner to start at fullback with Leonard Weaver signing with Philadelphia in free agency.

Schmitt is the second Seahawk arrested this offseason. Linebacker Leroy Hill was arrested in suburban Atlanta in January on misdemeanor drug charges after falling asleep at the wheel of his car at an intersection.