THUGS OF THE NFL:
Baltimore Raven Bernard Pierce busted for DUI
UPDATE: RAVENS CUT PIERCE FOLLOWING HIS ARREST; PUT TEETH IN NO CRIMINAL CONDUCT POLICY WITH THIRD CUT AFTER ARREST OF PLAYERS THIS YEAR
From Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens have released running back Bernard Pierce after his reported arrest for a DUI early Wednesday morning.
Pierce is the third Ravens player to be arrested this offseason and also the third to be immediately released. He joins Victor Hampton (DUI) and Terrence Cody (animal cruelty).
After a string of incidents last offseason, Baltimore has taken a zero-tolerance policy with players who have found themselves in trouble off the field this year.
Per WBAL, Pierce even saw the move coming, as he told a police officer on the way to the precinct, “Do you know what happened the last time a Ravens player got a DUI? I’m getting cut tomorrow, not like you care.”
Pierce’s release ends the running back’s career in Baltimore after just three years.
Pierce, a 2012 third-round pick, showed a lot of promise as a rookie. Backing up Ray Rice, he averaged 4.9 yards per carry and helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII. He ran for 103 yards in the wild-card win over Indianapolis that postseason.
But Pierce’s next two years were disappointing. He averaged just 2.9 yards per carry in 2013. He still had a chance to earn the starting job last year when Ray Rice was cut, but he was beaten out by Justin Forsett and eventually passed by rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro
Pierce ran 93 times for 366 yards and two touchdowns last season. He finishes his career with 353 rushes for 1,334 yards and five scores. He caught 29 passes for 164 yards.
Forsett, who was re-signed to a three-year deal last week, is expected to return as the starter and will be backed up by Taliaferro. Baltimore could opt to draft another running back in what is considered a deep class, or sign a veteran.
The officer suspected that the driver been drinking so he had the driver exit the vehicle for field sobriety tests. After failing field sobriety tests, the driver was arrested and taken to the Towson precinct for processing.
The person arrested has been identified as 23-year-old Bernard Hayward Pierce of Baltimore. Pierce is a member of the Baltimore Ravens.
Pierce was cooperative with police. He was processed and released per Baltimore County Police Department procedures. (Translated: the Baltimore County Police indulged in this police butt-kissing of the Baltimore Ravens so as not to endanger their free tickets to football games. This is not the kind of statement that the Baltimore Police nor just about any police agency includes with typical DUI arrests)
Pierce was charged with:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol
- Driving while impaired by alcohol
- Exceeding maximum speed: 55 Mph in a posted 30 Mph zone
- Driving vehicle in excess of reasonable and prudent speed on a highway
Baltimore County Police Department procedures allow for a person arrested for DUI to be released to a responsible adult if the following conditions are met:
- The person must be a Maryland resident
- A responsible, sober adult must be willing to pick the person up and take responsibility for the person within two hours
- The person has no previous charges for DUI or FTA (Failure to appear in court)
- Approval of a supervisor or shift commander.