Eric Warfield in Texarkana playing basketball

KChiefs1 · 06-29-2005, 07:49 AM

http://www.texarkanagazette.com/arti...s/sports01.txt

Warfield awaits decision after DUI
Tuesday, June 28, 2005 8:38 AM CDT

Eric Warfield, a cornerback who is entering his seventh season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2004 and his forth year as a full-time starter participates in the NFL Celebrity Basketball Game held Saturday night at AHS. This game was played against the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department and was part of the 4th Annual Hometown NFL Weekend.

By Richard Thomas
Special to the Gazette

Normally this time of year Kansas City Chiefs' cornerback Eric Warfield would be concerned with his physical conditioning and the team's brutal opening stretch against the Jets, Raiders, Broncos and Eagles.

Normally.

But this hasn't been a normal year for Warfield, the former Arkansas High and University of Nebraska standout who's about to enter his eighth National Football League season. That's because the 29-year-old doesn't know when he'll play his next NFL game.

Warfield is facing possible suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse and alcohol policy following a driving under the influence charge on Sept. 20, 2004, in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park.

"I guess the worse part in dealing with my situation with the DUI is that neither myself, my agent nor my lawyer knows what's to come of it," Warfield said this week when he was participating in the annual Texarkana NFL Hometown Weekend. "We know there is supposed to be a suspension, but this incident happened way back in September and they could easily have come up with something to deal with the whole situation way back then."

Warfield pleaded no contest in January to a felony DUI charge and was sentenced to 10 days in jail and 80 days of house arrest. The charge was a felony because Warfield had two prior DUI convictions.

As part of a plea agreement with Johnson County prosecutors, Warfield also was ordered to pay a $1,500 fine and perform 100 hours of community service. He will be on probation for a year. In exchange for the no-contest plea, prosecutors dropped misdemeanor counts of driving with a suspended license and having no proof of insurance.

The charges stemmed from a traffic stop. Police said Warfield had a blood alcohol level of .189 percent, more than double Kansas' .08 percent legal limit.

A Kansas City newspaper reported that Warfield is likely facing a four-game suspension.

"I couldn't say. It wouldn't be fair because I pretty much put myself in this situation," Warfield said. "I wrote a letter to the (NFL) Commissioner (Paul Tagliabue) and told him that I recognize my problems and I'm willing to face whatever suspension he wanted to put upon me, so it's not like I'm afraid of what's going to become of the suspension part.

"It's just that we would like to know now because we're just sitting in the dark and nobody knows anything. And here it's only a month away from going to training camp and you would at least like to know something before you go to training camp."

The Chiefs are taking measures to deal with Warfield's problem and to fix a shaky defense that ranked 31st in the NFL last season. They signed former Dolphins cornerback Patrick Surtain, an eight-year veteran, to play alongside Warfield. They also elevated Julian Battle to a starting job, but he tore his Achilles' tendon last week in mini-camp, had surgery and is lost for the season.

"The coaches aren't sure what to do now," Warfield said. "When we lost the guy who was going to take my place, things got even worse. I guess when things start looking good, some things will come back and bite you in the tail."

Warfield, who has been the Chiefs' starting left corner the past three seasons, is still taking a positive approach to this upcoming season.

"My goal, for one, is to be consistent on the playmaking side," said Warfield, who has started 47 of the Chiefs' last 48 games (he missed one game in 2003 due to a back problem). "I also want to avoid nonchalant play. I've got to get over the barrier of four interceptions in one season."

Warfield has made four interceptions each of the past three seasons. The 6-foot, 200-pounder also made 58 tackles last year.

"Hopefully my defense will continue to improve and I'd like to earn a trip to the Pro Bowl," Warfield said. "If I could get in a Pro Bowl, that means our defense has improved that much, and hopefully with that improvement we can be in the Super Bowl."

Kansas City coach Dick Vermeil has used the draft, trades and free-agent signings to beef up the team's porous defense, which has pleased Warfield, who lives in Leawood, Kan.

"I feel very good about the team bringing in Kendrell Bell (linebacker), Carlos Hall (defensive end, Arkansas), Sammy Knight (strong safety), Surtain (cornerback), and for drafting Derrick Johnson (linebacker) from Texas.

"Johnson's really a great player, and hopefully if he gets in his playbook and learns everything, I'm pretty sure he's going to be a starter for us this year."

The Chiefs had the No. 1 offense in the league last year and the improvements on defense should make the team competitive enough to be a playoff contender, Warfield said.

"I know every other team has made upgrades to their team, but I like our chances," he said. "I mean when you've got the No. 1 offense, that means you're always going to put points on the board. But whenever you can go out there with a strong defense, it helps you that much more to know that you can go out and stop high-caliber teams like New England (defending Super Bowl champion)."

The Oakland Raiders have picked up explosive wide receiver Randy Moss and the Broncos have two standout receivers in Rod Smith, another Arkansas High graduate, and veteran Jerry Rice, a future Hall of Famer.

"Right now I'd have to say the AFC West is probably the hardest division in pro football," Warfield said. "You've got to be prepared to play every week or you'll find yourself on the bottom."

The Chiefs slipped to 7-9 and finished third in the AFC West last year behind San Diego (12-4) and Denver (10-6).

"This will be my eighth season in the league and the years are really flying by," Warfield said. "I'm getting old by NFL standards. I never thought I'd be playing this long, but yet I've been fortunate to do so, and hopefully I can continue playing at the level I've reached."

Perhaps then things can return to normal for Warfield.

KChiefs1 · 06-29-2005, 07:50 AM

http://www.texarkanagazette.com/arti...ews/news07.txt

Celebrity roundball a pleaser
Monday, June 27, 2005 9:23 AM CDT

Byron Williams, former Green Bay Packers and New York Giants football player with 12 years of professional playing experience goes up to make a shot during the 4th Annual Hometown NFL weekend NFL Celebrity Basketball Game held Saturday night at AHS against the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department.

By JAKE BECKWITH
Texarkana Gazette

The 4th Annual NFL Hometown Weekend capped of a successful weekend with a celebrity basketball game Saturday night that pitted NFL football players against the Texarkana, Ark., police officers.

Excited children in the audience watched spellbound as NFL players laughed and interacted with law enforcement officials in a friendly, though competitive, basketball game.

Arkansas High School alumni and Kansas City Chief cornerback Eric Warfield combined his talents with Liberty-Eylau alumni and former New York Giant Byron Williams to create the NFL Hometown Weekend. Proceeds go to support the Faith, Love and Hope Youth Corporation, founded by Warfield's mother, Rosie Warfield-McGill.

"I deal with children every day at the center who have negative attitudes toward police officers. This is to show them the police are your friends. The police are here, supporting the children. Right now, the NFL players are role models. We are trying to put focus on the Police Department. Our primary goal is to give youths a positive direction," she said.

Texarkana, Ark., police officer Bart Veal lauded the event.

"I believe there are role models on both sides. It is a great chance to show youth that there is a positive aspect to police. It doesn't all have to do with negative situations ... It is great to have professionals of that caliber to come to our community, not only to give guidance to our youth, but to help with a worthwhile charity. I have the greatest gratitude for that," he said.

Jacob Peavy, 10, waited patiently to approach the players on the court for autographs.

"It is awesome. I got autographs from most of the police officers and the football players. It is pretty cool having professional football players, basketball players and police officers together. Makes it kind of unique," he said.

The NFL players won the game 50-46 after trailing most of the fourth quarter, and took the lead after a football was substituted for the roundball.

Former Minnesota Timberwolves player Oliver Miller served as the "unofficial" coach for the NFL players.

"It is interesting. Anything for a good cause. I'm having a lot of fun. I like to keep smiles on the fans' faces," he said.

After the game, fans enjoyed taking pictures with their favorite NFL athletes while their favorite athletes enjoyed taking their own pictures with three Atlanta Falcon cheerleaders. The cheerleaders had participated in a cheerleading camp for about 40 middle school girls earlier in the day at Liberty-Eylau High School.

Although not a native of Texarkana, Falcon cheerleader Emily Prato said they enjoy supporting the youth of Texarkana.

"It makes our day to see those girls smile and have a good time. We've loved being a part of the weekend activities. We think it is a great thing they do for this community."

JimNasium · 06-29-2005, 08:07 AM

I wonder if EW was able to drive to the hoop.

Rukdafaidas · 06-29-2005, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimNasium

I wonder if EW was able to drive to the hoop.

With the cops swarming him.

06-29-2005, 07:49 AM
KChiefs1 I’m a Mahomo! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mid-Missouri Casino cash: $6771021	Eric Warfield in Texarkana playing basketball http://www.texarkanagazette.com/arti...s/sports01.txt Warfield awaits decision after DUI Tuesday, June 28, 2005 8:38 AM CDT Eric Warfield, a cornerback who is entering his seventh season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2004 and his forth year as a full-time starter participates in the NFL Celebrity Basketball Game held Saturday night at AHS. This game was played against the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department and was part of the 4th Annual Hometown NFL Weekend. By Richard Thomas Special to the Gazette Normally this time of year Kansas City Chiefs' cornerback Eric Warfield would be concerned with his physical conditioning and the team's brutal opening stretch against the Jets, Raiders, Broncos and Eagles. Normally. But this hasn't been a normal year for Warfield, the former Arkansas High and University of Nebraska standout who's about to enter his eighth National Football League season. That's because the 29-year-old doesn't know when he'll play his next NFL game. Warfield is facing possible suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse and alcohol policy following a driving under the influence charge on Sept. 20, 2004, in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park. "I guess the worse part in dealing with my situation with the DUI is that neither myself, my agent nor my lawyer knows what's to come of it," Warfield said this week when he was participating in the annual Texarkana NFL Hometown Weekend. "We know there is supposed to be a suspension, but this incident happened way back in September and they could easily have come up with something to deal with the whole situation way back then." Warfield pleaded no contest in January to a felony DUI charge and was sentenced to 10 days in jail and 80 days of house arrest. The charge was a felony because Warfield had two prior DUI convictions. As part of a plea agreement with Johnson County prosecutors, Warfield also was ordered to pay a $1,500 fine and perform 100 hours of community service. He will be on probation for a year. In exchange for the no-contest plea, prosecutors dropped misdemeanor counts of driving with a suspended license and having no proof of insurance. The charges stemmed from a traffic stop. Police said Warfield had a blood alcohol level of .189 percent, more than double Kansas' .08 percent legal limit. A Kansas City newspaper reported that Warfield is likely facing a four-game suspension. "I couldn't say. It wouldn't be fair because I pretty much put myself in this situation," Warfield said. "I wrote a letter to the (NFL) Commissioner (Paul Tagliabue) and told him that I recognize my problems and I'm willing to face whatever suspension he wanted to put upon me, so it's not like I'm afraid of what's going to become of the suspension part. "It's just that we would like to know now because we're just sitting in the dark and nobody knows anything. And here it's only a month away from going to training camp and you would at least like to know something before you go to training camp." The Chiefs are taking measures to deal with Warfield's problem and to fix a shaky defense that ranked 31st in the NFL last season. They signed former Dolphins cornerback Patrick Surtain, an eight-year veteran, to play alongside Warfield. They also elevated Julian Battle to a starting job, but he tore his Achilles' tendon last week in mini-camp, had surgery and is lost for the season. "The coaches aren't sure what to do now," Warfield said. "When we lost the guy who was going to take my place, things got even worse. I guess when things start looking good, some things will come back and bite you in the tail." Warfield, who has been the Chiefs' starting left corner the past three seasons, is still taking a positive approach to this upcoming season. "My goal, for one, is to be consistent on the playmaking side," said Warfield, who has started 47 of the Chiefs' last 48 games (he missed one game in 2003 due to a back problem). "I also want to avoid nonchalant play. I've got to get over the barrier of four interceptions in one season." Warfield has made four interceptions each of the past three seasons. The 6-foot, 200-pounder also made 58 tackles last year. "Hopefully my defense will continue to improve and I'd like to earn a trip to the Pro Bowl," Warfield said. "If I could get in a Pro Bowl, that means our defense has improved that much, and hopefully with that improvement we can be in the Super Bowl." Kansas City coach Dick Vermeil has used the draft, trades and free-agent signings to beef up the team's porous defense, which has pleased Warfield, who lives in Leawood, Kan. "I feel very good about the team bringing in Kendrell Bell (linebacker), Carlos Hall (defensive end, Arkansas), Sammy Knight (strong safety), Surtain (cornerback), and for drafting Derrick Johnson (linebacker) from Texas. "Johnson's really a great player, and hopefully if he gets in his playbook and learns everything, I'm pretty sure he's going to be a starter for us this year." The Chiefs had the No. 1 offense in the league last year and the improvements on defense should make the team competitive enough to be a playoff contender, Warfield said. "I know every other team has made upgrades to their team, but I like our chances," he said. "I mean when you've got the No. 1 offense, that means you're always going to put points on the board. But whenever you can go out there with a strong defense, it helps you that much more to know that you can go out and stop high-caliber teams like New England (defending Super Bowl champion)." The Oakland Raiders have picked up explosive wide receiver Randy Moss and the Broncos have two standout receivers in Rod Smith, another Arkansas High graduate, and veteran Jerry Rice, a future Hall of Famer. "Right now I'd have to say the AFC West is probably the hardest division in pro football," Warfield said. "You've got to be prepared to play every week or you'll find yourself on the bottom." The Chiefs slipped to 7-9 and finished third in the AFC West last year behind San Diego (12-4) and Denver (10-6). "This will be my eighth season in the league and the years are really flying by," Warfield said. "I'm getting old by NFL standards. I never thought I'd be playing this long, but yet I've been fortunate to do so, and hopefully I can continue playing at the level I've reached." Perhaps then things can return to normal for Warfield.
Posts: 54,038

06-29-2005, 07:50 AM	#2
KChiefs1 I’m a Mahomo! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mid-Missouri Casino cash: $6771021	http://www.texarkanagazette.com/arti...ews/news07.txt Celebrity roundball a pleaser Monday, June 27, 2005 9:23 AM CDT Byron Williams, former Green Bay Packers and New York Giants football player with 12 years of professional playing experience goes up to make a shot during the 4th Annual Hometown NFL weekend NFL Celebrity Basketball Game held Saturday night at AHS against the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department. By JAKE BECKWITH Texarkana Gazette The 4th Annual NFL Hometown Weekend capped of a successful weekend with a celebrity basketball game Saturday night that pitted NFL football players against the Texarkana, Ark., police officers. Excited children in the audience watched spellbound as NFL players laughed and interacted with law enforcement officials in a friendly, though competitive, basketball game. Arkansas High School alumni and Kansas City Chief cornerback Eric Warfield combined his talents with Liberty-Eylau alumni and former New York Giant Byron Williams to create the NFL Hometown Weekend. Proceeds go to support the Faith, Love and Hope Youth Corporation, founded by Warfield's mother, Rosie Warfield-McGill. "I deal with children every day at the center who have negative attitudes toward police officers. This is to show them the police are your friends. The police are here, supporting the children. Right now, the NFL players are role models. We are trying to put focus on the Police Department. Our primary goal is to give youths a positive direction," she said. Texarkana, Ark., police officer Bart Veal lauded the event. "I believe there are role models on both sides. It is a great chance to show youth that there is a positive aspect to police. It doesn't all have to do with negative situations ... It is great to have professionals of that caliber to come to our community, not only to give guidance to our youth, but to help with a worthwhile charity. I have the greatest gratitude for that," he said. Jacob Peavy, 10, waited patiently to approach the players on the court for autographs. "It is awesome. I got autographs from most of the police officers and the football players. It is pretty cool having professional football players, basketball players and police officers together. Makes it kind of unique," he said. The NFL players won the game 50-46 after trailing most of the fourth quarter, and took the lead after a football was substituted for the roundball. Former Minnesota Timberwolves player Oliver Miller served as the "unofficial" coach for the NFL players. "It is interesting. Anything for a good cause. I'm having a lot of fun. I like to keep smiles on the fans' faces," he said. After the game, fans enjoyed taking pictures with their favorite NFL athletes while their favorite athletes enjoyed taking their own pictures with three Atlanta Falcon cheerleaders. The cheerleaders had participated in a cheerleading camp for about 40 middle school girls earlier in the day at Liberty-Eylau High School. Although not a native of Texarkana, Falcon cheerleader Emily Prato said they enjoy supporting the youth of Texarkana. "It makes our day to see those girls smile and have a good time. We've loved being a part of the weekend activities. We think it is a great thing they do for this community." __________________
Posts: 54,038

06-29-2005, 08:07 AM	#3
JimNasium Voodoo Chile Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: At the crossroad Casino cash: $-833143	I wonder if EW was able to drive to the hoop. __________________ World class speed!
Posts: 7,135