CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns nose tackle Shaun Rogers was charged Friday with carrying a concealed weapon after he allegedly tried to take a handgun through airport security.
A Cleveland city prosecutor filed the fourth-degree felony charge alleging that Rogers carried a .45-caliber Kimber semiautomatic with eight rounds in his carry-on luggage at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. A police report said the gun’s hammer was cocked in “safe mode.”
Bond was set at $1,000. Defense attorney Patrick D’Angelo said he was posting the bond and expected Rogers to be released promptly. Rogers spent a night in jail after his arrest Thursday.
After participating in the Browns’ voluntary off-season program, Rogers was on his way back home to Houston when he was stopped with the weapon. Police say he was traveling with teammate Robaire Smith.
Rogers, 31, told officers that he had forgotten the gun was in his bag and that he carried it for personal safety during travel. Police say Rogers has a license in Michigan to carry a concealed weapon.
His agent, Kennard McGuire, earlier said Rogers made a mistake he deeply regrets.
“Shaun is from a tremendous family that knows right from wrong,” McGuire said in a phone interview. “He is completely remorseful and sorry. While he does have a permit to carry a weapon, carrying it into the airport was an unintentional mistake. He will fully cooperate with all the authorities.”
The arrest could put Rogers’ future with the Browns in jeopardy. Team president Mike Holmgren issued a statement Thursday saying that it was aware of “what transpired with Shaun Rogers” and that the club would reserve comment “until the legal process has taken its course.”
Even if he is not convicted, Rogers could face suspension from the league for violating its strict personal-conduct policy for players. He was suspended for four games in 2006 while with Detroit for violating the substance-abuse policy.
A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Rogers, who missed Cleveland’s final five games last season with a broken leg, has been the subject of previous trade rumors.
The 6-foot-4, 350-pound Rogers is arguably the Browns’ best player. He was selected to the Pro Bowl after his first season with Cleveland, which acquired him in a 2008 trade with the Lions. He is signed through 2013.
AP Sports Writer Tom Withers contributed to this report.
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