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Thursday, September 26
Updated: September 27, 11:14 PM ET
 
Moss: 'I'm certainly not out to find trouble'

Associated Press

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings receiver Randy Moss apologized to his team, family and friends Thursday -- but not to the woman he's accused of pushing with his car while trying to make a turn.

Randy Moss
Randy Moss is expected to start Sunday against the Seahawks.

Moss spent a night in jail after the Tuesday night episode, which resulted in two misdemeanors but no felony charges. Moss will start Sunday's game against Seattle, and his agent said the team will fine him, although the amount hasn't yet been determined.

"I'm sorry for what I've caused and what I brought on everyone who really cares about me or this team,'' Moss said during a news conference. "I am human. I am a man. I do take care of my responsibilities, and I stand up for my actions.''

Moss, however, made no direct mention of Amy Zaccardi, the 27-year-old traffic control officer who police say stepped in front of Moss' car to stop him from making an illegal turn. Police say the 25-year-old Moss slowly pushed her along the street, stopping when she fell off the car.

Zaccardi, who's a city employee but not a police officer, was not seriously hurt.

"I don't know if trouble is out to find me,'' Moss said. "But I'm certainly not out to find trouble,'' Moss said.

Moss took no questions at a news conference, but later, in an interview with ESPN, insisted he did nothing wrong.

"By the time the woman told me to turn back into the lane that I turned in, it was too late,'' Moss said. "The woman had me confused as to what I was supposed to do. There was no conversation. ... All I know is the cuffs are slammed on me, and I'm in the back of the cruiser.''

Moss said the arrest was especially unfortunate considering all the attention he's received for being a team leader early in the season.

"I'm trying to be there, trying to change, trying to change for the best,'' he said.

Moss practiced Thursday and looked more relaxed, smiling and joking with teammates as well as coach Mike Tice.

"I thought he seemed very sincere in his apology, and I think everyone accepted that and is ready to have him back on this team,'' linebacker Greg Biekert said. "He felt bad about what happened and was willing to come to us and say that. I think it takes a lot for a guy to do that.''

Moss whistled as he walked out of jail Wednesday. He was charged with careless driving and failure to obey a traffic officer. He faces a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine on each charge. He will be arraigned Oct. 2.

Police also said they found a marijuana cigarette in Moss' car, an amount that would qualify as a petty misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $200. But a city prosecutor, Dana Banwer, said no drug charge had been filed by Thursday evening, and Moss said the marijuana did not belong to him. Other people have had use of the car, he said.

Moss didn't directly say who the marijuana belonged to, but repeated that others had the use of his car. He said the NFL does not allow the use of marijuana and he tries his best to stay within the rules.

Friedberg said Moss has five cars and four other people had driven his Lexus recently. The attorney said they planned to fight the traffic charges.

Despite the arrest, Tice said Moss will still start for the 0-3 Vikings on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. But he said Moss would be disciplined for missing Wednesday morning's practice. Tice didn't specify the punishment.

DiTrapano said Thursday that the team would fine Moss, with the amount yet to be determined.

League and team sources told ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli on Wednesday that the amount of fines will total about $50,000.

"I know they had to discipline me, for what reason I don't know," Moss said.

Under NFL rules, Moss will undergo mandatory "evaluation" because he was charged. Any disciplinary action would follow a conviction or guilty plea.





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AUDIO/VIDEO
Video
 Painful Time
Randy Moss gives ESPN's Andrea Kremer the details of the incident that lead to his arrest.
Standard | Cable Modem

 Ready for Sunday
Randy Moss' teammates aren't going to let his personal distractions affect the way they play on Sunday.
Standard | Cable Modem

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