DETROIT — Charles Rogers used to have it all.
Talent. Fame. Cash.
Now, he’s in jail.
The second pick overall in the 2003 NFL draft chose to be locked up for 30 days, with credit for 15 days served, instead of staying in an intensive drug counseling program after violating probation in a domestic violence case.
“I’m just going to do my 10 days, get out of the court system and try to get in shape for a comeback,” Rogers said Wednesday in a telephone interview with The Associated Press from the Oakland County jail in Pontiac, Mich. “Am I sad about the way my life has turned out? No, because I know the strides I’ve made to take care of Charles Rogers.”
Court records show the 27-year-old ex-Detroit Lion receiver tested positive for alcohol and falsified records saying he attended Alcoholic Anonymous meetings.
“I was wrong,” he said. “I’m not perfect.”
A judge in suburban Detroit granted Rogers’ request Tuesday to leave a “sobriety court,” in which he had to submit to daily drug testing and allow his residence to be searched at any time for nine months followed by nine months of probation.
“The structure was cool, but I had a hard time with the perfection that they stress in the program,” Rogers said. “I did learn a lot from it, and it’s going to help me get back on my feet.
“Who knows? Maybe we’ll be talking in a year about me playing football again. It’s not like I’m 35. I’m only 27 with fresh legs and a lot of life and football ahead of me.”
Rogers was arrested in September and charged with assault and battery involving his fiancee, who also is the mother of his four children, according to defense attorney Joshua Ben.
The Saginaw, Mich., native pleaded no contest to trespassing and was entered into a treatment house as part of his probation. In November, Rogers returned late to the facility after a judge gave him permission to attend a funeral. A drug test was given and later showed the prescription pain-reliever Vicodin.
Rogers then entered a diversion program.
The Lions drafted the former Michigan State star in 2003 and signed him to a six-year, $55 million deal.
After scoring twice in his debut with the Lions, a broken collarbone ended his season. In the next season opener, he had the same injury and his year was over. Rogers played in nine games in 2005 but failed a drug test, and was cut entering the next season.
His career ended with just 36 receptions, 440 yards receiving and four touchdowns in 15 games.
An arbitrator ruled Rogers must return $8.5 million to the team for diminishing his value by failing the drug test, but he declined comment when asked if he has the money to pay the Lions.
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