IRVING, Texas — Dallas running back Joseph Randle says he made a “huge mistake” when he was arrested on a shoplifting charge that led to a fine from the Cowboys, but no suspension.
Randle was charged with a Class B misdemeanor of theft between $50 and $500 after he was accused of taking $123 worth of cologne and underwear from a department store at a suburban Dallas mall on Monday.
Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said Randle would be fined “significantly” but would play Sunday against the New York Giants.
Randle met with Garrett on Tuesday and addressed his teammates before practice Wednesday. He said he appreciated their support.
“They know people mess up,” Randle said. “I’m just trying to take full responsibility and really just move on from it.”
According to the arrest report, Randle was caught on video placing items later identified as a “tester” bottle of Gucci Guilty Black cologne and a two-pack of Polo underwear into a Dillard’s bag after making a purchase at the store at Stonebriar Centre, about 30 miles north of Dallas.
The 22-year-old Randle was stopped by a security guard in the parking lot and later told a police officer that when he saw the “old guy,” referring to the security guard, he thought to himself, “All right, y’all got me.”
The arrest came a day after one of Randle’s best games in two seasons with Dallas in a 30-23 victory against Super Bowl champion Seattle. He had a 38-yard run and a key tackle on a late kickoff.
“Well, I really just made a huge mistake. I disappointed a lot of people who really care about me, like my brothers on the team, coaches, this whole organization,” Randle said. “I let a lot of people down. I’m just going to try my best to make it up to them.”
Quarterback Tony Romo said he had talked to Randle.
“He obviously wants to make better decisions in the future and I think that the way that he sounds, he will,” Romo said. “We’re his pseudo-family here, so we’ve got his back.”
The Cowboys (5-1) play their first NFC East opponent in the Giants (3-3).
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