Sports

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   ADDITIONAL ITEMS • nfl.com (External Link)   CONTACT THE HERALD Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.) E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com Kevin Brown, Sports Editor kbrown@heraldnet.com   Published: Monday, May 5, 2008 NFL: Bears' Benson arrested Associated Press AUSTIN, Texas -- Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson was charged with failing a sobriety test while operating a 30-foot boat, then resisting arrest before being hit with pepper spray and dragged ashore by officers. Benson faces charges of boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest after the incident Saturday night on Lake Travis, Travis County Sheriff's Department spokesman Roger Wade said Sunday. Benson was released from jail early Sunday on a $14,500 bond. The charges are class B misdemeanors, each punishable by up to six months in jail and a $2,000 fine. A call to Benson's agent was not immediately returned. Benson was operating the boat with 15 passengers aboard when he was stopped by a Lower Colorado River Authority officer for a random safety inspection. He failed a field sobriety test on the officer's boat and was uncooperative when the officer tried to take him ashore, the authority said. "When Benson did not pass the test, he presented himself as a threat to the officer and argued about whether or not he would be taken to land to have a follow-up field sobriety test performed on land and refused to put on a life jacket," the authority said in a statement. The officer had to use pepper spray to subdue Benson. He then refused to leave the officer's boat and authorities had to drag him to a car to be taken to the Travis County jail, the authority said. Chicago coach Lovie Smith said he's still trying to figure out exactly what happened in Texas. "I haven't had a chance to speak with Cedric yet, but any time we're talking about one of our players getting arrested you're disappointed in it," Smith said Sunday at the end of the Bears' three-day rookie minicamp in Lake Forest, Ill. Bears officials said general manager Jerry Angelo was out of town Sunday and unavailable to comment. Benson has had legal problems before. He was sentenced to eight days in jail in 2003 for a misdemeanor trespassing charge after forcing his way into an apartment to look for a reported stolen TV. In 2002, misdemeanor drug and alcohol charges against him were dropped. Benson rushed for more than 5,500 yards and 64 touchdowns at the University of Texas, going for 1,000 yards in four straight seasons. The 25-year-old has done little since the Bears took him with the fourth pick of the 2005 draft. As a rookie he couldn't beat out Thomas Jones and rushed for 272 yards in nine games. He was more effective the next season while sharing time with Jones, going for six touchdowns and 647 yards. Last year, Benson took over as the featured back after Jones was traded away. He rushed for 674 yards, four touchdowns and 3.4 yards a carry before going on injured reserve in November. In three years with the Bears, Benson has rushed for 1,593 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 3.8 yards a carry. He's also missed 13 games.

1. Man's death a stark reminder of food allergy risks 2. Don't be a slowpoke in left lane, police say 3. Everett man's face a portrait of patriotism 4. Plan your Fourth of July fun 5. Tragic loss for all who knew Dan Sargent 6. Two arrests in Sultan homicide 7. Camano library sale an emotional, financial success 8. Boeing boosted by increased jet deliveries in 2nd quarter 9. World famous, and headed to Everett 10. World War II veteran feels 'we owe our country' 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Red, White, and Blue: Parade photoalbum • World famous, and headed to Everett • The man in charge • A lifetime of happiness • Three new administrators join SCC • Adefua opens Edmonds concert series • Changing of the guard for the Timberwolves • Lou Gehrig's has new opponent in Team Peggy • Road toward red-light cameras paved in LFP • Warbird¿s history keeper • (No heading) • Arlington Fly-In marks 40th anniversary this year • Paul Allen's rare Flying Heritage Collection becomes latest aviation att ... • Business Briefs - July 2008 • July 1998: Cogswell eyed future growth • 787 'powers up' all systems • Glider clubs merge at Arlington Airport