Keyword
NFL
Scores
Schedules
Standings
Statistics
Transactions
Injuries
Photo gallery
Players
Power Rankings
Message Board
NFL en español
CLUBHOUSE


SHOP@ESPN.COM
TeamStore
ESPN Auctions
SPORT SECTIONS
Sunday, September 29
Updated: September 30, 3:23 PM ET
 
League tests Moss following traffic arrest

ESPN.com news services

Minnesota Vikings receiver Randy Moss, who made headlines last week for his arrest on misdemeanor traffic charges, tested positive for marijuana last season after the death of teammate Korey Stringer, ESPN's Chris Mortensen has learned.

Sources have told Mortensen that Moss was tested for drugs by the league and put in the NFL's substance abuse program. He also underwent another test by the league following an incident Tuesday during which he was accused of pushing a woman with his car in downtown Minneapolis, sources told Mortensen. A marijuana cigarette also was found in his car, according to police.

If Moss tests positive, he faces a possible suspension by the NFL. Moss declined comment on Mortensen's report following the Vikings' 48-23 loss Sunday night in Seattle.

"There's nothing to really comment about," he said. Asked if he felt he was in danger of being suspended by the league for four games, he said, "No."

Moss started Sunday night but his tumultuous week took a toll on his game. He dropped four passes in the end zone and was limited to six catches for 50 yards as the Vikings fell to 0-4.

"I could hear the fans, I could hear the boos," he said after the game. "My game wasn't really in sync. I can't really pinpoint why I wasn't catching the ball. I just wasn't catching it. There's not a word to describe why."

Moss spent Tuesday night in jail and later 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 Wednesday. The Vikings reportedly will fine him up to $50,000.

Police said they found a marijuana cigarette in Moss' Lexus, an amount that would qualify as a petty misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $200. But a city prosecutor 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.

According to police, Amy Zaccardi, a 27-year-old traffic control officer, stepped in front of Moss' car Tuesday night to stop him from making an illegal turn. Police said 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, but I'm certainly not out to find trouble," Moss said during a news conference Thursday, during which he apologized to the Vikings, fans and family members, but made no mention of Zaccardi.

Moss later said in an interview with ESPN that 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," he 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."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.




 More from ESPN...
Moss apologizes to Vikings, fans, family day after jail spell
Vikings wide receiver Randy ...

Wojnarowski: Learn from your elders
Randy Moss and Allen Iverson ...

Kreidler: Give him the chair!
Randy Moss was publicly ...

Salisbury: Moss still lacking maturity
ESPN's Sean Salisbury says ...

Pasquarelli: Contract status
While open to interpretation, ...

Focal Point: Keep Randy or trade him?
The Vikings might finally be ...

Police: Moss used car to bump traffic control agent
Minnesota Vikings receiver ...

 ESPN Tools
Email story
 
Most sent
 
Print story
 
Daily email