Sports Jerk of the Week

[Drbio]

Pittman could face sanctions from league

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By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com


Tampa Bay starting tailback Michael Pittman, one of the stars of the Bucs' victory in Super Bowl XXXVII five months ago, could face league sanctions after being arrested in suburban Phoenix on Saturday and charged with six felony counts.

Pittman, 27, was charged with three counts each of aggravated assault and of reckless endangerment in an incident in which he allegedly rammed his Hummer into a vehicle being driven by his wife, Melissa. The couple's son, Mycah, and a babysitter were the passengers in Melissa's car.

A spokesman for the Phoenix police said the couple, believed to be estranged, apparently were arguing over the player's desire to have their two-year-old son accompany him for spring workouts in Tampa.

"There was a verbal altercation and when she began to leave the scene, he got into his car and rammed it into her (Mercedes)," said Lt. Frank Milstead. According to police reports, Pittman was handcuffed, taken to the Madison Street Jail, and booked there.

The incident is the latest in a spate of off-field indiscretions by NFL players over the past three weeks. More significant to Pittman, and perhaps to the club, is that it will represent another domestic violence incident involving the running back, if he is convicted.

Under terms of the league's personal conduct policy, Pittman could face a fine or even a suspension if he is found guilty of or pleads guilty to the weekend charges. Tampa Bay has had two other veterans, defensive back Dwight Smith and offensive tackle Kenyatta Walker, booked on off-field incidents this off-season.

A five-year NFL veteran, Pittman is already on probation for a pair of domestic violence incidents against his wife in a two-month period during the summer of 2001. The Arizona Cardinals, for whom he played at the time, suspended him for one regular-season game. Although he was one of the Cardinals' top players, the franchise made no attempt to re-sign Pittman when he became an unrestricted free agent after the 2001 season.

Pittman signed a five-year, $8.75 million contract with the Bucs on March 26, 2002, and the deal included a $1.75 million signing bonus.

He started 15 of the 16 games in which he appeared last season, rushing for 718 yards and one touchdown on 204 carries. While his performance was disappointing at times, he led a strong Tampa Bay rushing attack in the Super Bowl victory over Oakland, posting 124 yards on 29 rushes.

[jayC]

Drubs,

Sure it isn't Mike Tyson "I would rape that bitch anyway."