OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Baltimore Ravens return specialist B.J. Sams was arrested and charged with driving under the influence Tuesday morning by Maryland State Police, according to a police report. Sgt. Kimberly Smith, a duty officer at the Golden Ring barracks, confirmed that Sams was pulled over shortly prior to 2 a.m. on the outer loop of I-695 near Greenspring Ave. in Baltimore County.
Smith said that Maryland State police trooper Sauer pulled Sams over after receiving information that his Chevy Tahoe sport utility vehicle was swerving and nearly struck a car on Interstate 83.
Smith said that the arresting officer said that Sams had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. Sams, who was alone in the car, was arrested without incident and cooperated with authorities, Smith said.
Sams was released from the police barracks early Tuesday morning and driven home by an unidentified friend. No court date has been set, and no information was released by police about whether Sams took a Breathalyzer exam.
This is Sams’ second DUI arrest. He was arrested in August 2005 for the same charge in nearly the exact same part of the highway. He was sentenced to probation before judgment for driving while impaired.
Sams could face punishment, including a fine and/or a suspension from the NFL, according to the league’s substance-abuse policy. What happens next will depend on whether he’s in the first or second stage of the league’s confidential substance-abuse program.
Repeat violators can be given as much as a four-game suspension.
Sams is the second-ranked kickoff returner in the league with a 30.9 average, ranking ninth overall on punt returns.
The undefeated Ravens’ top options besides Sams are wide receiver Mark Clayton and rookie running back Cory Ross, who had a strong training camp but wasn’t able to unseat Sams from his starting job.
The Ravens (4-0) didn’t hold practice Tuesday prior to their nationally televised Monday night game against the Denver Broncos.
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times in Westminster, Maryland
