Many boys grow up with dreams of playing football in the NFL. For Leesburg resident Fred Davis, his fading NFL career might these days seem more like a dream to him than a reality.
The former Washington Redskins tight end recently pleaded not guilty to charges of assaulting a former girlfriend. The charge is one of several problems plaguing him, including an indefinite league ban for violating its substance abuse policy. You might recall that Davis was arrested in February in Tyson’s Corner on a DUI charge.
The charge of driving under the influence was dismissed in April, according to a recent news report.
CBS Sports said at the time that the Loudoun County resident was acquitted of DUI though his blood alcohol level had been measured at between 0.15 percent and 0.20 percent. The judge dismissed the charge after determining that police did not have probable cause to pull Davis over.
He had been stopped at the corner of Leesburg Pike and Gallows Road at about 4 a.m. in a black Rolls-Royce. The former USC star’s arrest happened less than a day after the NFL had handed down an indefinite suspension for testing positive for marijuana.
Earlier in his career, he had been suspended four games for multiple marijuana violations.
According to several news reports, Davis has said he’ll apply to the NFL for reinstatement. However, his receptions have declined over the past couple of seasons and some observers doubt that there will be a market for his services even if he is reinstated.
According to the CBS report, the 28-year-old had just seven catches last season.
Let’s hope that one of Leesburg’s finest athletes can get his career back on track, and with the help of his attorney, resolve his legal issues to everyone’s satisfaction.
Source: WTOP.com, “Former Redskins player Fred Davis pleads not guilty,” Mike Murillo, July 25, 2014