NEW ORLEANS -- Saints defensive end Bobby McCray issued a written apology Wednesday concerning disparaging comments he made on a social networking Web site about the officer who arrested him after a traffic stop this week.
In the statement released by the EAG sports management agency in California, McCray said he regretted that private messages about his arrest were unintentionally posted on Twitter.
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"I have respect for the men and women who serve the New Orleans Police Department and I never meant to convey otherwise," the statement said. "My attorneys are now handling the matter and I have faith that the legal process will rectify the situation in my favor."
By Wednesday afternoon, McCray's Twitter page had been taken down. However, a series of comments posted earlier included a reference to the arresting officer being a "short guy with a Napoleon complex" who became angry when McCray asked why he had been ordered out of the car for a routine traffic stop. In another comment, McCray stated he was pulled over for "DWP," or "Driving with pizza."
McCray went on to call the charges "bogus" and claim he wasn't drunk. He also said he and his fiancee were on their way home and that she was feeding him some pizza as he drove.
Police have said McCray refused to take a breathalyzer test, which under Louisiana law can result in a one-year suspension of a person's driver's license.
The traffic stop occurred about 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday. McCray was booked on charges of driving while intoxicated, speeding, careless operation of a vehicle and not having his registration. He was released a few hours later.
The Saints returned to practice Wednesday after taking Tuesday off as usual. McCray didn't practice, but coach Sean Payton said it was because he had a sore back.
Payton said the team wouldn't discipline McCray at this time.
"There's a league protocol, and it shifts to the league, and we'll follow the process and gather the information," Payton said. "Given that we're just two days removed from it, there are still a number of steps to be taken."
McCray wasn't available when the Saints' locker room was opened to reporters Wednesday afternoon.
McCray is in his sixth NFL season out of the University of Florida. He has been credited with 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 15 games this season.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
