Before he faces the law at the end of the month, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Steve McNair will square off with the local media today.
A week after being arrested in Tennessee for what is commonly referred to as driving under the influence by consent ? a law that that holds car owners accountable for others driving their vehicle while under the influence ? McNair will take part in an organized team activity at the team?s Owings Mills facility. The team said McNair, along with new running back Willis McGahee, would talk to the media following a morning workout Thursday.
It will be McNair?s first appearance before the Baltimore media since he and his brother-in-law, who was driving McNair?s truck while the quarterback was a passenger, were charged with DUI May 10 in Nashville.
Hours after he was arrested, McNair released a statement that said: “I was trying to act responsibly. I have to go through the court process now, and I understand that. I was planning to be in Baltimore for most of the remainder of this month to work out with my teammates, and anticipate that I will be doing that.”
Since then, McNair has been quiet. A pre-trial hearing is set for the end of the month to determine if McNair?s case will go to trial.
It is the second time McNair has been arrested for DUI. The first incident happened in 2003, also in Nashville, and included a gun possession charge. The charges were dropped for insufficient evidence.
The team already had one DUI case resolved this week when return specialist B.J. Sams was acquitted Tuesday of charges stemming from an arrest last October. Sams was found guilty of a lane violation, while also being found not guilty of a negligent driving.
McNair was perhaps the most important player for the Ravens last season, turning the team?s fortunes around in one season. After a 6-10 season in 2005, the Ravens acquired McNair in a trade with the Tennessee Titans last offseason. He led Baltimore to a 13-3 record during the regular season. In the playoffs, the team lost in the AFC divisional round to eventual Super Bowl champion Indianapolis.
