Geno Smith’s legal imbroglio is behind him.
The Seahawks quarterback will not be charged with DUI or reckless driving after getting arrested on suspicion of DUI in early 2022 in Washington, ESPN reports.
While the arrest occurred last January, there was an apparent backlog that made Smith’s blood tests unavailable until this past April.
The blood tests revealed that Smith had a BAC of .038, below the legal limit of .08, and a THC concentration of 2.6, below the legal limit of 5.
“In considering the filing of charges, prosecutors must consider any reasonably foreseeable defense to be raised,” the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said in a release.
“From the investigation material, prosecutors do not have evidence to rebut likely explanations for his bad driving. While we can show that Mr. Smith consumed alcohol and marijuana and that in general those two substances have a compounding effect, we do not have any evidence to show exactly what effect they had on Mr. Smith, and a reasonable doubt exists as to whether his ability to drive was affected by alcohol or marijuana.”
Smith was adamant about his innocence in the immediate wake of his arrest.
“Being arrested brings a taint onto the reputation that is impossible to undo, no matter what really happened,” Smith tweeted at the time.
“I’m asking all of you to hold back on judging me the same as you would do for a friend or family member. I’ll have more to say down the road & ask that you bare [sic] with me.”
Smith stepped into the Seahawks’ starting quarterback role last year after the team traded Russell Wilson to the Broncos, and had a surprisingly strong season, ultimately winning AP Comeback Player of the Year.
Smith was selected in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Jets with the 39th overall pick.
After starting most of two seasons for Gang Green, he spent six seasons primarily as a backup on the Jets, Giants, Chargers and Seahawks before his improbable career reclamation last year.
This past offseason, Smith signed a three-year deal worth up to $105 million to remain with the Seahawks.
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