FLOWERY BRANCH (AP) —
Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Abraham is calling his arrest on obstruction of justice charges a matter of “bad timing.”
Abraham was arrested Monday night when Atlanta police and firefighters were trying to calm a woman who was threatening to jump from a midtown building window. He said Thursday that “sometimes you try to do the right thing and it doesn’t end up being the right thing.”
Atlanta police officer Christopher Blaise said this week that Abraham refused to leave an area that had been taped off by authorities. Blaise added that Abraham smelled of alcohol, was unsteady on his feet and had slurred speech and bloodshot eyes.
The four-time Pro Bowl player was charged with two misdemeanors. He was released from custody Tuesday at 1:24 a.m. on a $7,000 total bond, or $3,500 for each charge, according to Fulton County jail records.
Atlanta police officer K.Y. Jones said the woman did not jump and was taken to Grady Hospital. Her name was not released. Abraham declined to say if he knew the woman or if he made a mistake in judgment.
“I can’t say I did or didn’t,” he said. “I’m just going to keep saying it was bad timing. I can’t say exactly — you can’t really judge what happened. We’re just going to work our way through it.”
Blaise said other residents and guests at Twelve Atlantic Station were “patiently waiting in line” and moved away from the scene when Abraham entered the taped-off area and began to argue that “he lived at the location and that he owned three condos there.”
Blaise added that Abraham was arrested after being asked “at least five more times” to move behind the taped-off area.
Abraham, a 13-year veteran and the active NFL sacks leader, gave no further details.
“I think at this moment I don’t want to talk about my side,” Abraham said. “Once we get everything clarified and get everything going the right way — because we’re still in a legal situation that we need to get cleared out and everything. But, you know, sometimes it’s just bad timing. I’m not going to fault anybody at all. It was just that things happen in life.”
Abraham practiced with the Falcons on Thursday for the second straight day. He said he met with coach Mike Smith to give the team his side of the story.
“I got to talk to Mike and a lot of people in the organization and people that know me,” Abraham said. “Like I said, it was an altercation, and hopefully we can get it out of the way as soon as possible.”
Running back Michael Turner was arrested last week on charges of drunken driving and speeding in Gwinnett County a few hours after the Falcons’ Monday night win over the Denver Broncos. Turner’s troubles did not appear to result in immediate discipline from the team, and he started a few days later in Atlanta’s win at San Diego.
The Falcons (3-0) host the Carolina Panthers (1-2) on Sunday.
Homepage
Falcons’ Abraham cities ’bad timing’ on arrest
- Local News
-
-
Identity Theft: Do all you can to protect your credit, debit cards
Pictured are a couple of skimmers, used here on an ATM machine and gas pump. The devices usually fit right over the original card reader or key pad, but are loose when tugged.
It's summertime and there may be only two words on your mind – road trip. As we hit the roads this summer for vacations we all make stops at the gas station and the ATM.
Continued ...
Unfortunately, so do identity thieves. They set up machines called skimmers on gas pumps and ATMs that are designed to fool you and benefit them. The devices read your debit or credit card and record the number, which the thief can collect by retrieving the skimmer or even remotely using a smartphone and a wireless Internet connection. The information will then be used to create a duplicate card bearing the number, but a different name. - Tift Sheriff’s Office investigating scam
- Gazette asking for your help
- County millage rate remains same
- GEMA study reveals increased emergency preparedness across state
-
- Local Sports
-
-
Fields played, coached three eras of basketball
Imagine a player averaging 29 points per game for a career and receiving no college scholarship offers. That happened to Dona Fields.
Fields, as Dona Gaskins, is easily Berrien High's all-time leading scorer. She scored her 1,000th point as a sophomore and during her last three seasons was the Rebelettes' leading scorer in every game. She received no college attention, no offers. - Kilgore resigns baseball post at ABAC
- Girls basketball had long road to equality
- TCRD hosting pair of hardball tournaments
- Future Devils learn the ropes at ESMS
-
Fields played, coached three eras of basketball
- Opinion
- Obituaries
- Police Reports
- Your Agenda
Ex-Hit Man's Past Is a Shock to Some Neighbors
Fans: Gandofini 'Put New Jersey on the Map'
Does Future of Human Race Depend on Kansas Mine?
Reining in 'Bad News' Sports Parents
James Gandolfini Dies at Age 51
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7
Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion
Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial
Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day
Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
