Titans backup QB Chris Simms arrested in NYCBy COLLEEN LONG (AP) – July 1, 2010
NEW YORK — Tennessee Titans backup quarterback Chris Simms says police mistook a comment about smoking cigarettes as an admission that he'd been smoking marijuana before he was stopped while driving in New York City.
Simms was released without bail after his arraignment Thursday on
charges of driving while impaired by drugs. He's due back in court Aug. 23.
Simms, the son of former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms, didn't enter a plea. But outside court, he called the case "very weak."
Police and prosecutors say
Simms was red-eyed, slurred his words and smelled of marijuana when stopped early Thursday in Manhattan. A court complaint says the 29-year-old told an officer he'd been "smoking marijuana in the car earlier."
Defense lawyer Nathan Semmel says Simms acknowledged merely smoking cigarettes.
The 29-year-old was stopped in Manhattan at about 1:30 a.m.
Simms was awaiting arraignment in Manhattan Criminal court. Calls to his agent and the Titans weren't immediately returned.
Simms started 16 games during his six-year NFL career. He came to the Titans after playing for the Denver Broncos for a season as an unrestricted free agent. He was a third-round draft pick by Tampa Bay in 2003.
In 2006, Simms had emergency surgery to remove his spleen, which ruptured during a game against Carolina.
His father is now an announcer and analyst for CBS Sports and led the Giants to two Super Bowls, playing 14 seasons with the team.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jgZJm4_uw2kIKyhoV_kVr5iCLaUAD9GMG1QO0