At least half of the Ravens’ players own a gun, according to a team official.
Darren Sanders, the Ravens’ head of security, estimates the number of players on the team who own guns mirrors the rest of the NFL, a figure which gained national attention this week following comments made by Miami’s Joey Porter. The linebacker defended Giants receiver Plaxico Burress, who is facing jail time for having a concealed handgun without a permit at a New York City nightclub last month.
“You’ve got a constitutional right to bear arms,” said Sanders, who spent 17 years with the Baltimore City Police Department. “We have a number of players who are hunters, but many who feel they need a gun for protection. There are plenty of athletes and celebrities that have been shot and/or killed in recent years, so they feel the need to protect themselves.”
Here’s why NFL players may feel compelled to own a gun:
» Giants receiver Steve Smith was robbed at gunpoint on Nov. 25.
» Jaguars offensive lineman Richard Collier was shot 14 times in a drive-by-shooting Sept. 2 that left him paralyzed from the waist down.
» Redskins safety Sean Taylor was fatally shot in his Miami home by a burglar on Nov. 28 of last year.
» Broncos defensive back Darrent Williams was killed in drive-by-shooting as he sat in a limosine on Jan. 1 of last year.
“They’re making [Burress] out to be such a bad guy. but you look at all the guys who have been robbed this year, all the home invasions, all the guys who have been shot, like Collier, look how many times he got shot,” Porter told ESPN.
Ravens linebacker Jarret Johnson is among several Ravens who agree with Porter, who was shot in the left buttock during gunfight in October 2003. But Johnson said a player can’t use the Constitution as an excuse for breaking breaking concealed weapons laws or not handling a gun properly.
Johnson is licensed to carry a gun in Alabama, where he resides during the offseason. But he leaves his gun at home during the season.
“I wouldn’t recommend someone stick a gun in their pants and walk into a club,” Johnson said. “But at the same time the people who have a problem with what Joey Porter said can’t relate where these guys come from, the things they know can happen to them and how big a target they are. Some of it can be the fault of the player from jewelry they wear and where you hang out, but there is a lot you can’t help.”
The NFL prohibits players to carry any gun or weapon into an facility owned or being used by one of its teams or on any league-related business.
Johnson said athletes are targets because many are millionaires and have celebrity status during tough economic times.
“We’ve had our security guys come to us with documentation of guys they have arrested [who were] looking for these players, and they know where you live and what car you drive,” Johnson said. “People don’t know that.”
Receiver Derrick Mason agrees with Johnson.
“We shouldn’t be any different than you guys,” Mason told reporters. “If you choose to have a firearm in your home then have one. But to carry it around, that’s putting yourself and others at risk.”
Ravens coach John Harbaugh said the team addresses cases like Burress’ on a regular basis.
“That’s a big part of our player development program,” he said. “We meet every Thursday. Part of our Thursday during the season is talking about that kind of stuff.”
Daniel Webster, the co-director of gun policy and research at Johns Hopkins University, said taking a loaded weapon into a crowded place — like Burress did — promotes violence. Webster believes New York City’s stringent gun laws are a major reason why the city’s murder rate fell to 496 last year from 596 in 2006, marking the first time the city had fewer than 500 murders since reliable statistics were documented in 1963.
“I look at gun violence as a public health issue,” he said. “If one person felt unsafe and decided to carry a gun, which led to another person and another person to carry a gun, how safe are we?”
Sanders said he preaches to players to use common sense in handling guns. He also recommends players hire security for added protection.
“I always tell them be aware wherever you are,” Sanders said. “Look at Plaxico: He put other people in jeopardy by the actions he took. Remember who you have with you because they could be impacted even greater than you are by the decisions you make.”
