Tank Johnson’s blood alcohol level was below the legal limit when the former Chicago Bears defensive tackle was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving June 22.
Johnson’s blood alcohol level was .072, under the presumptive limit in Arizona of .08 percent, police Sgt. Andrew Duncan said Monday. No charges have been filed pending results of a completed investigation.
Johnson, whose legal name is Terry Darnell Johnson, was arrested when officers pulled him over at 3:30 a.m. for driving 40 mph in a 25 mph zone. Duncan said an officer placed him under arrest because he believed Johnson was under the influence of alcohol. He was released without being booked or charged after providing a blood sample, and police said he was very cooperative.
The 25-year-old player was released by the Bears three days after his arrest. The team said it was “upset and embarrassed” by the defensive tackle’s legal troubles.
The Bears declined comment Monday.
It is still possible for Johnson to be charged with DUI, but it would be unusual barring special circumstances. The law in Arizona provides for such prosecutions based on overall signs and symptoms of intoxication.
Raiders: The team lost its case in California’s top court after contending in a lawsuit that the NFL sabotaged the franchise’s effort to build a stadium at Hollywood Park in Los Angeles.
The case dates more than 20 years when Raiders managing partner Al Davis accused the league of purposely not doing enough to help the team move from the antiquated Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to a new stadium complete with revenue-generating luxury suites.
The Raiders returned to Oakland in 1995 after spending 13 years in Los Angeles.
Broncos: Denver signed four free agents who competed in NFL Europa, including offensive lineman Emmanuel Akah, who played for the league champion Frankfurt Galaxy. The Broncos also signed cornerback Bill Alford (Galaxy), cornerback Kevin House (Cologne Centurions) and offensive tackle Cliff Washburn (Hamburg Sea Devils).
Giants: Three-time Pro Bowl linebacker LaVar Arrington, who was waived by New York in February, was released from a hospital two weeks after breaking his right arm and severely cutting his leg in a motorcycle accident.
Arrington’s football career is on hold, at least temporarily, because of his injuries.
Bills: Pro Bowl punter Brian Moorman signed a three-year contract extension that runs through 2012 and is worth $10 million.
