MOBILE, Ala. — Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Jay Ratliff was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated after crashing his pickup truck into an 18-wheeler early Tuesday morning in Grapevine, Texas.
Ratliff was not injured in the accident and was released from jail after posting a $500 bond.
Grapevine senior police officer Sam Shemwell told USA TODAY Sports that Ratliff first hit the 18-wheeler and then a barricade. The driver of the 18-wheeler was not injured.
Shemwell said Ratliff failed a field sobriety test administered by officers after the accident.
Ratliff’s arrest comes less than two months after Cowboys defensive lineman Josh Brent was arrested after an accident that killed teammate Jerry Brown. Brent has been charged with DUI manslaughter.
Back in December, a week after Brown’s death, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones explained to USA TODAY Sports what service the team offers players to avoiding driving under the influence.
“We have two limo services on stand-by and a full-time staff person on call 24 hours/seven days a week to pick up players,” Jones said. “That person has been called seven times this year.”
The team services Jones described go beyond what’s provided to NFL players by the league and the NFL Players Association.
Ratliff, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, was limited to just six games this season because of a high-ankle sprain and a sports hernia that eventually ended his season. Ratliff’s replacement was Brent until Brent’s arrest forced the team to plug in Sean Lissemore.
(source-Mike Garafolo USA TODAY Sports)
