An NFL tight end known for evading tackles was caught on camera giving Los Angeles security guards the same treatment moments before he was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance and resisting police.
New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham was experiencing a “medical episode” and likely suffered a seizure when he was filmed sprinting away from security guards Friday at a resort the team was staying at ahead of a preseason game against the Chargers Sunday, Saints officials said.
Video obtained by TMZ shows Graham running down the street away from two security guards who are chasing after him.
The 36-year-old was reportedly stopped by police while wandering through traffic and taken into custody for suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance and resisting, delaying and obstructing a police officer.
“New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham experienced a medical episode last evening, which resulted in him becoming disoriented,” the team said in a statement.
The team’s physician, Dr. John Amoss, determined Graham “likely” was suffering from the effects of a seizure when he was taken into custody Friday night.
“He was taken into custody by local authorities and transported to a local hospital for evaluation for what Dr. John Amoss believes to be a likely seizure and spent the night under medical supervision and testing.”
Amoss met Graham at the hospital and is supervising his care, the statement continued.
The five-time Pro Bowl player spent the night under medical supervision and testing before being released the following morning.
“He was released this morning and is with the team as they continue preparations for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.”
Graham, who spent last season out of football, only returned to the NFL last month.
He signed a one-year contract with New Orleans, but had been with the Saints for his first five seasons before making stops in Seattle, Green Bay and Chicago.
At a New Orleans bar Saturday, some Saints fans wondered if a career full of hard hits could have played a role in the incident.
“It’s always a possibility when you get hit that many times. Multiple concussions, who knows? We hope that it’s not that, but he’s never had a drinking problem and never had a drug problem so what could it be? He definitely needs to see a doctor and get checked out,” Garith Horn told Fox8Live.
“We love him here in New Orleans and we wish the best for him.”
The preseason match was set to continue despite tropical storm warnings in LA as Hurricane Hilary bore down on the region.
It was not immediately clear whether the 36-year-old five-time Pro Bowler would suit up.
With Post wires.
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