This is pretty unbelievable until you see that it is Joey Porter. At that point I can definitely visualize what happened. TMZ.com has the details:
Arizona Cardinals linebacker Joey Porter was arrested outside a Taco Bell this morning after officials say Porter put his hands on a cop.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Joey was driving in a Taco Bell parking lot in Bakersfield — his home town — when a friend of Joey’s was stopped by police.
According to officials, Porter pulled up near the action – too close apparently — because a CHP officer rolled over to his car, where he detected the smell of alcohol coming from Porter’s car.
Cops say the officer asked for Porter’s driver’s license, but he refused to hand it over. … instead, officials say, the 33-year-old tried to roll up his window.
Cops say the officer tried to reach in the car to manually unlock the car — and that’s when Porter “slapped” the officer’s hand away.
According to the CHP, the officer decided to grab Porter’s arm — and that’s when things got crazy. Porter allegedly got out of his car “in a confrontational manner.”
The officer claims he drew his pistol and ordered Porter to the ground, but he wouldn’t comply — though he did ultimately agree to place his hands behind his head.
Additional officers were called to the scene to aid in the arrest. Porter was eventually taken in to custody and booked at a nearby jail. He was eventually charged with 3 misdemeanors — DUI, resisting arrest and assault on a peace officer.
The fact this happened at a Taco Bell makes it comedic gold.
The story seems strange for a few reasons. First it appears it was Porter’s friend being bothered and when Porter came up on the cop, the cop started to give Porter problems.
If you have ever been pulled over by the cops it doesn’t take much of a reason for them to “pull you out of the car.”
Now was Porter drunk? I guess we won’t know unless he took a breathalyzer test, but the “car smelled like alcohol” excuse is a bit weak until we get some more evidence.
Porter on the other hand needs to be smarter. Knowing Porter’s personality it is unlikely he was playing “peace maker”.Porter just signed a contract worth 17 million with the Arizona Cardinals so trying to go one on one with a cop regardless of the situation is just a dump move by Porter.
Wonder how this will get reported and treated by NFL and major media outlets.
As more details come out we will be sure to keep you updated.
