Despite Driving Backwards at Airport, Leigh Bodden Will Play Sunday

Filed under: Browns, AFC North, NFL Police Blotter

This is good news for the Browns: Leigh Bodden will play in the season opener Sunday against the Steelers, despite getting arrested Wednesday for aggravated disorderly conduct — driving in reverse down a one-way street and becoming verbally abusive. Bodden is the team’s best defensive back, and with Gary Baxter still recovering from the ol’ double patella tendon tear, Cleveland can’t afford to not him in the lineup.

According to wire reports, the former undrafted free agent out of Duquesne is one of the most laid back players on the roster, and Bodden apologized to coaches and teammates before talking with reporters.

“You all know there are two sides to every story,” [Bodden] said. “Right now I can’t comment on my side. My attorney will handle that. It’s unfortunate that this is a distraction.” Browns coach Romeo Crennel downplayed Bodden’s arrest, referring to it as “a little run-in with the law” and a “minor traffic incident.” Crennel also said he wasn’t bothered by the nature of the charges.

You know, it’s easy to say professional athletes should never put themselves in such situations, but sometimes it’s seemingly unavoidable. I have no idea what actually happened, but driving in reverse down a one-way street doesn’t compare to, say, makin’ it rain, or killing cute, furry animals.

That Crennel didn’t seemed overly concerned confirms as much. Of course, after Bodden has his day in court, he’ll have to deal with Führer Goodell. There’s some chance Bodden gets suspended if for no other reason than there’s a chance Goodell suspends every NFL employee at some point this year. Somehow, I don’t think it’ll be for driving backwards, though.

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