Judge Puts Booze Brakes on Benson, There's Something Weird About This Whole Thing
Ignition DeniedDrinking and driving is bad. No two ways about. There is nothing funny about operating any sort of motorized vehicle while intoxicated (maybe a golf cart). We wanted to get that out of the way first before talking about Cedric Benson. Because we're starting to get the vibe that the folks down in Austin just might have it out for the former Longhorn standout.
First, Benson gets arrested for boating while intoxicated on Lake Travis in Austin. Now, boating and booze have gone together like peas and carrots for just about, well, forever (what else does one do on a boat besides drink?). Again, not that it's right, but bringing Benson down to the clink seemed a little extreme based on the initial reports. Maybe you put somebody else at the wheel, tow the boat in, give him a ticket and warning?
Then, of course, there was the pepper spray and resisting arrest part of the story, all of which Benson disputed then and continues to today. Too many versions of the story. Too much distance between those recounts of the episode. Not buying it.
Only a month later, Benson gets nabbed again. This time his arrest comes on land where Austin cops say he ran a red light and failed a field sobriety test in downtown Austin. Now, I spent a lot of time in Austin. New York City it is not. But it's not that small. It takes some pretty dumb luck (or maybe just a really dumb dude) to get nailed twice in the span of five weeks for the always tough t0 achieve DW/BW-I combo.
Now it seems like unabashed piling on. Yesterday, a judge ordered that Benson install an "ignition interlock breathalyzer" in his car within 72 hours. First off, shows how long I've been without a car that I didn't even know these things existed. Apparently, this is somewhat standard procedure these days, but how might it be I'd never heard of such an action being taken before? I understand it was two violations within five weeks, but, again, there's something fishy about this whole thing (pun really not intended just utterly lacking a formidable vocabulary).
The fact that an athlete is denying he/she was drunk is nothing new. But to do it both times so adamantly is either sheer arrogance or unparalleled stupidity. If we were judging by mugshots alone, we'd be inclined to say one if not both of the above were at play. But something tells us there's more than meets the eye on this one. Anyone else feeling it?
First, Benson gets arrested for boating while intoxicated on Lake Travis in Austin. Now, boating and booze have gone together like peas and carrots for just about, well, forever (what else does one do on a boat besides drink?). Again, not that it's right, but bringing Benson down to the clink seemed a little extreme based on the initial reports. Maybe you put somebody else at the wheel, tow the boat in, give him a ticket and warning?
Then, of course, there was the pepper spray and resisting arrest part of the story, all of which Benson disputed then and continues to today. Too many versions of the story. Too much distance between those recounts of the episode. Not buying it.
Only a month later, Benson gets nabbed again. This time his arrest comes on land where Austin cops say he ran a red light and failed a field sobriety test in downtown Austin. Now, I spent a lot of time in Austin. New York City it is not. But it's not that small. It takes some pretty dumb luck (or maybe just a really dumb dude) to get nailed twice in the span of five weeks for the always tough t0 achieve DW/BW-I combo.
Now it seems like unabashed piling on. Yesterday, a judge ordered that Benson install an "ignition interlock breathalyzer" in his car within 72 hours. First off, shows how long I've been without a car that I didn't even know these things existed. Apparently, this is somewhat standard procedure these days, but how might it be I'd never heard of such an action being taken before? I understand it was two violations within five weeks, but, again, there's something fishy about this whole thing (pun really not intended just utterly lacking a formidable vocabulary).
The fact that an athlete is denying he/she was drunk is nothing new. But to do it both times so adamantly is either sheer arrogance or unparalleled stupidity. If we were judging by mugshots alone, we'd be inclined to say one if not both of the above were at play. But something tells us there's more than meets the eye on this one. Anyone else feeling it?
