[Dooby]

The title of this thread is funny only if you are a diehard Cowboy/Ticket Fan. Darren Hambrick, whose brother still plays for Dallas BTW, missed a voluntary mini-camp last year and lost his starting job with Dallas because of it. When asked by reporters at training camp last year why he did not show up for the voluntary mini-camp, he said "What do 'voluntary' mean?" They played that quote 1,000 times on the ticket. I thought it was so funny. Anyway...

Ex-Cowboy Hambrick arrested on grand theft charge
10/09/2002

Associated Press


DADE CITY, Fla. – Cleveland Browns linebacker Darren Hambrick turned himself into authorities earlier this week on charges that he stole a check from the Carolina Panthers.

Following practice on Monday, Hambrick, who signed as a free agent with the Browns in August, flew to Florida to answer to an arrest warrant issued against him.

The 27-year-old Hambrick is accused of stealing a $5,682.51 check from the Panthers three weeks after joining the team in October 2001, according to court records.

He was issued the payroll check on Nov. 11, but then asked the team to stop payment on that check because he never received it, records said.

Another check for the same amount was sent to Hambrick, and on Jan. 29 a man who identified himself as Hambrick cashed both checks at a Bank of America branch in Dade City, court records said.

A bank representative told a detective she contacted Hambrick and asked him to return the $5,682.51, but he refused, records said.

"We initiated the complaint against him back in March for grand theft, the state attorney issued the warrant, and somehow he got wind of the warrant and turned himself in," Dade City police Capt. David Duff said.

The Browns play at Tampa Bay on Sunday, and Duff said if Hambrick hadn't turned himself in, police may have arrested him this weekend.

When Hambrick was approached for a comment Wednesday in the Browns' locker room, he was ushered away by a member of the club's media relations staff.

Hambrick played for the Panthers last season after spending three seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.

The Browns signed him on Aug. 10 after Pro Bowl linebacker Jamir Miller sustained a season-ending injury.

"We have been made aware of a situation that occurred prior to Darren Hambrick joining the Cleveland Browns involving a duplicate check issue," Browns spokesman Todd Stewart said. "It is our understanding that all moneys have been returned. We are awaiting further information from the authorities and Darren's attorney."

The Browns have not said whether Hambrick will be disciplined.

Hambrick arrived at the Pasco County jail just before 6 p.m. on Monday and posted $10,000 bail in less than two hours, a jail spokeswoman said. An initial court appearance had not been scheduled.

If convicted, he could be sentenced to a fine, probation or jail.

Hambrick's agent, Derrick Harrison, declined comment.