Agent: Steelers' Reed Didn't Try To Fight Police
Posted: 7:36 am EDT October 19, 2009Updated: 5:27 pm EDT October 20, 2009
PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Jeff Reed didn't threaten to fight with police outside a Pittsburgh bar on Sunday, his agent said. Meanwhile, Coach Mike Tomlin said he still expects Reed to play in Sunday's home game against the undefeated Minnesota Vikings.Atlanta-based agent Don Henderson said that Reed didn't raise his fists in front of police outside a bar Sunday and that officers were to blame. The bar is a couple of blocks from Heinz Field, where Reed kicked two field goals in the team's 27-14 over the Cleveland Browns a few hours earlier.Police Lt. Michael Piasecki said Reed, who was leaving the bar with his parents, argued with officers who arrived to cite Reed's teammate, backup tight end Matt Spaeth, for disorderly conduct for allegedly urinating in a parking lot."Mr. Reed took a fighting stance, balled up his fists, and the officers then took him into custody," Piasecki said.Reed was charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness and simple assault -- a misdemeanor that is the most serious charge he faces, Piasecki said.
POLL: What Action Should The Steelers Take Against Jeff Reed?
"When he squares off against a police officer, that's considered an assault by statute," Piasecki said.Reed was handcuffed and then released to the custody of his parents. A court summons will be mailed to him, Piasecki said.Henderson said that Reed never threatened to fight police. "You think he'd put his hands up to fight a police officer? You've got to be kidding me," Henderson said. "That's ridiculous. Jeff Reed wouldn't fight anybody, so we disagree with the police," Henderson told the Tribune-Review.Tomlin said Tuesday that the Steelers and NFL are investigating the Reed incident.Last season, Tomlin benched wide receiver Santonio Holmes the game after he was charged with possessing cigars filled with marijuana. Tomlin said he held Holmes out of that game, a 21-14 loss to the New York Giants last Oct. 26, to avoid causing a distraction, not to punish Holmes. Tomlin noted Holmes was charged on the Thursday before that game, whereas Reed was charged a full week before the next game.The misdemeanor possession charges against Holmes were later dropped.This is Reed's second brush with the law this year. He paid $543 in fines and restitution after pleading guilty to disorderly conduct and criminal mischief for damaging a paper towel dispenser in a convenience store bathroom in New Alexandria in February.
POLL: What Action Should The Steelers Take Against Jeff Reed?
"When he squares off against a police officer, that's considered an assault by statute," Piasecki said.Reed was handcuffed and then released to the custody of his parents. A court summons will be mailed to him, Piasecki said.Henderson said that Reed never threatened to fight police. "You think he'd put his hands up to fight a police officer? You've got to be kidding me," Henderson said. "That's ridiculous. Jeff Reed wouldn't fight anybody, so we disagree with the police," Henderson told the Tribune-Review.Tomlin said Tuesday that the Steelers and NFL are investigating the Reed incident.Last season, Tomlin benched wide receiver Santonio Holmes the game after he was charged with possessing cigars filled with marijuana. Tomlin said he held Holmes out of that game, a 21-14 loss to the New York Giants last Oct. 26, to avoid causing a distraction, not to punish Holmes. Tomlin noted Holmes was charged on the Thursday before that game, whereas Reed was charged a full week before the next game.The misdemeanor possession charges against Holmes were later dropped.This is Reed's second brush with the law this year. He paid $543 in fines and restitution after pleading guilty to disorderly conduct and criminal mischief for damaging a paper towel dispenser in a convenience store bathroom in New Alexandria in February.
Previous Stories:
- February 20, 2009: Steelers Kicker Reed Pleads Guilty To Throwing 'Terrible' Towel Tantrum
Copyright 2009 by WPXI.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.











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