Published: January 14, 2011
TAMPA – The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s office will not to pursue a charge of driving under the influence against Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Williams based on the results of his urine test.
Williams’ urine test results came back clean, Hillsborough County state attorney’s office spokesman Mark Cox said Friday.
Williams was arrested at U.S. 301 and Causeway Boulevard in east Hillsborough County at 2:48 a.m. on Nov. 19, 2010, on suspicion of driving under the influence. His blood alcohol level was below the level at which a motorist is considered too intoxicated to drive.
“We just got the results back from the urine analysis and that was all clean, so (we made the decision) based on him blowing below the legal limit,” Cox said. “There is also a video at the scene when he got arrested, and when we looked at it in totality, based on the blow and the road-side camera, then the results we got back showing there was nothing else in his system, we felt like we couldn’t go forward.”
Bucs officials were pleased with the outcome.
“We’re pleased by this news and are happy for Mike, who is already focused on an exciting 2011 season,” Bucs spokesman Jonathan Grella said in a text message.
Previously, Hillsborough sheriff’s spokesman Larry McKinnon said Williams was driving a black Cadillac 57 mph in a 45-mph zone, weaving in and out of lanes. When Williams agreed to sobriety tests at the traffic stop, deputies saw signs of impairment, McKinnon said. They also said Williams smelled of alcohol and had glassy eyes.
Tests performed at the Orient Road jail showed Williams had blood-alcohol levels of 0.065 and 0.061. In Florida, drivers are presumed drunk at 0.08.
Despite Williams’ innocence, Cox said the arresting officer did nothing wrong.
“What you have to remember is the blow is not done until he is under arrest,” Cox said. “It’s not like they can take you downtown and then say, ‘You blew under, we’re going to let you go now.’ It’s all done after the arrest. The officer had to make a determination and in his opinion, he smelled alcohol (and saw signs of impairment).”
Williams is one of five finalists for the 2010 NFL Pepsi Rookie of the Year Award. A fourth-round draft pick out of Syracuse, Williams won a starter’s job in training camp and helped lead the Bucs to a 10-6 record. He led all rookies in pass receptions (65), receiving yards (964) and touchdowns (11).
In addition, Williams was the only rookie receiver to have a reception in each of his team’s games this season as he finished tied for 11th in the NFC in receiving yards. His 11 touchdowns set Buccaneers records for receiving touchdowns in a season, receiving touchdowns by a rookie and total touchdowns by a rookie.
Williams also recently was named to The Sporting News’ all-rookie team.