Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Andre Smith was arrested Thursday evening after trying to board a plane with a .380 caliber handgun at Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta Airport. Smith, 25, of Birmingham, AL, appealed in court Friday morning and was issued a $3,000 bond, PJ WCPO-TV reports.
The former 2009 first-round pick (sixth overall out of Alabama) appeared in and started in 14 games in his third year in 2011 and was one of only 10 players with the Bengals to start every game in 2012.
He also helped BenJarvus Green-Ellis to lead the league in third-and-one rushing conversions, as he edged Houston Texans RB Arian Foster (14-13), albeit Green-Ellis only had 15 attempts to Foster’s 19.
Photo Via BengalsGab.com
The 6-4, 335-pound right tackle was also a consensus 2008 All-American selection at Alabama and rated among the most powerful run-blockers in SEC history.
This arrest might lead to discipline from the NFL and could hurt him via 2013 NFL Free Agency if he doesn’t work out a deal or get the franchise tag from the Bengals. However, he’ll still likely become a prized commodity after his strong season in 2012 if he hits the open market in March.
Michael Gartman is a College Football and NFL Senior Writer, the AFC South and NFC West Lead Writer and the Founder, CEO of GridironGrit.com. He’s also about to start reporting on topics across all sides of the political spectrum and analyze important issues in the liberty movement for a political website. Follow him @_MichaelGartman on Twitter. Be sure to ‘like’ Gridiron Grit on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @GridironGrit to keep up with the latest coverage on college football, the NFL and more!
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