Being an NFL player isn't the easiest job in the world, especially in today's game where concussion settlements and national anthem protests dominate the news. There are some basic rules you have to follow as a professional footballer, but some NFL players just don't understand them.
Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver Antonio Callaway failed his drug test after testing positive for marijuana during February's NFL combine. Now, he's in trouble for the second time this year.
Callaway was cited at 2:59 a.m. on Sunday morning when he was stopped for a traffic violation by Strongsville police.
According to the police report, officers stopped Callaway after failing to yield to oncoming traffic. That's when they found a small amount of marijuana under the driver's seat of the car, as well as Callaway driving on a suspended license.
He'll appear in court to address the minor misdemeanor charge Thursday morning.
"We're aware of the citation, are in the process of gathering more information and will comment further at the appropriate time," the Browns said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon.
Despite the off-the-field incident, that didn't stop Callaway from practicing fully at Browns training camp on Tuesday.
Callaway's trouble with the law started way before his days in a Cleveland Browns uniform, though.
As one of the Florida Gators top weapons, Callaway racked up 89 catches for 1,399 yards and 11 touchdowns in two seasons in The Swamp before legal issues ended his collegiate career.
In 2017, Callaway was one of nine Florida players suspended the entire season for credit card fraud after allegedly stealing credit card information to purchase electronics at the UF bookstore.
In total, the nine Gators' players stole more than $17,000 worth of funds.
In 2016, Callaway was involved in an investigation into sexual assault, but the charges were ultimately dropped in his case.
The wide receiver's collegiate troubles caused his draft stock to fall following a failed drug test at the NFL combine, which ultimately landed him in fourth round, where the Browns selected him.
Callaway is expected to be Cleveland's No. 3 wide receiver after the Browns traded Corey Coleman earlier this week. Playing behind Josh Gordon and newly acquired Jarvis Landry gives Callaway the opportunity to be one of the league's most explosive third-options in the passing game.
Legal issues aside, Antonio Callaway can play. He's perfectly crafted to be the third option behind Gordon and Landry, and he's been showing out in training camp so far.
Now, someone just needs to help the rookie realize that this is his only chance at an NFL career.
Continued run-ins with police will shrink that window faster than you think.
