Jets GM noncommittal on Sheldon Richardson's future with team
Sheldon Richardson's July 14 arrest for an alleged road race caught the New York Jets completely off guard. In fact, even Richardson's own parents knew nothing about the arrest until it became public Thursday.
While Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan remains supportive of Richardson, he won't commit to his long-term future with the organization.
"At this point in time, we'll see how it progresses," Maccagnan said Saturday, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. "It's not about words right now, it's about actions - not actions on the football field. It's how he handles himself.
"... We do worry about Sheldon in terms of the decisions he has made off the field. There is a degree of trust that has been broken, but we're supportive."
Head coach Todd Bowles gave a similar response Friday, expressing concern for the embattled defensive end.
"He hasn't been smart, and he hasn't been clear in the head," Bowles said. "Clearly, he needs some help."
Richardson was driving a 2014 Bentley Silver Spur when he was clocked at 143 mph with three family members in his car, including a 12-year-old, according to the St. Charles County (Missouri) prosecutor's office. He allegedly tried to allude police before being apprehended, and was charged with resisting arrest and multiple traffic violations.
The former first-round pick, who was suspended four games earlier this month for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, confirmed Friday that he hid the arrest from the Jets and his parents.
"After my suspension, that was just one bad night," Richardson said. "I thought it would be fun to show my family members something. They never rode in a car like that before."
Bowles said he didn't ask Richardson why he hid the arrest from the team, but noted that "you lose a lot of trust" in the player after something like this.
"I'm not even worried about him as a football player," Bowles said. "Right now, he's going down a spiraling road. He needs to understand he has to turn his life around.
"It's not a football issue, it's more of a personal issue."