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Sauerbrun cabbie feared for safety

Punter 'extremely vulgar and rough,' driver contends

John C. Ensslin and Lee Rasizer

Published December 13, 2007 at 12:45 a.m.

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The cabdriver who picked up Broncos punter Todd Sauerbrun from a Cherry Creek bar said Wednesday the punter was so abusive and intoxicated, the driver stopped at a Denver police station out of fear for his own safety.

Saul Cast, a 59-year-old driver for Metro Taxi, said he had no idea Sauerbrun was a Broncos player when a bouncer from the Ocean bar brought him to the cab on Friday night.

At the time, Sauerbrun was so drunk, he slumped over sideway in the back seat of the cab, Cast said.

But as he drove off, Cast said Sauerbrun smacked the back of his hand against the back of the cabbie's head and ordered him to turn off the stereo. Cast said he did so, but that the passenger continued to verbally abuse him.

"I'm very patient and understanding," said Cast, a cabdriver for the past nine years. "But I don't expect people to be gods in the car. He was extremely vulgar and rough."

When contacted Wednesday, Sauerbrun steadfastly denied the charges and insisted he ultimately will be proven innocent.

"It's terrible because it never happened," Sauerbrun said earlier in the day before the team left Dove Valley for tonight's game at Houston. "But, obviously, with all the press, the damage is already done. So what can I do about it? The media's killing me. But I can't control it."

Sauerbrun was cited for a municipal ordinance violation of simple assault as well as disturbing the peace and failure to pay an $8.35 cab fare. He was issued a ticket and transported to a local detox center. He is due in Denver County Court on Dec. 21.

"The incident didn't happen, OK? That's all I can say," Sauerbrun said. "It's a false allegation and it'll come out. . . . I'll still be the bad guy."

Sauerbrun's lawyer, Harvey Steinberg, could not be reached for comment.

Cast said he pulled over to the District 3 substation at South University Boulevard and Iowa Street and repeatedly ordered Sauerbrun out of the cab. A police officer noticed the incident, came over and ordered Sauerbrun into his cruiser.

At first, Sauerbrun resisted, Cast said, asking the officer, "Do you know who I am?" Later, the officer explained to the cabbie Sauerbrun was a Broncos player.

"I was very surprised," Cast said, adding he thought football players are supposed to be role models. "I don't think any of my kids would want him for a model."

It's the second time Sauerbrun has had off-field difficulties since joining the Broncos in 2005.

He was suspended four games in 2006 for violating the NFL's ban on ephedra and was subsequently released by the team, then returned in the spring after a brief stint with the New England Patriots.

Sauerbrun said he and coach Mike Shanahan have discussed the latest matter and Shanahan continues to back him, adding once everything's resolved, "we'll see where it goes from there."

The punter is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after the season and he conceded his latest misstep could cost him in some fashion.

Shanahan said earlier this week he would let due process run its course but if Sauerbrun is guilty, "He'll have to pay the price."

On Wednesday, Broncos spokesman Jim Saccomano said the team would have no comment on the incident.

"It's a pending situation and it just has to resolve itself," Saccomano said.

Meanwhile, Sauerbrun was confident he will be cleared of the charges.

"I think when it all comes out, which I think will be soon, Mike will understand and see that everything was OK," Sauerbrun said.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Sauerbrun described his current situation as "extremely overblown," adding he was "trying to be a responsible person taking a cab, you know?"

He might have learned that lesson from a previous arrest for driving while impaired, speeding and driving without a license in December 2004 in Charlotte, N.C., while a member of the Carolina Panthers.

Sauerbrun was placed on one year's probation in that instance.

Staff writer Marilyn Robinson contributed to this report.

Comments

  • December 13, 2007

    7:52 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Holiday writes:

    The blind date has confirmed Sauerbrun's rude drunkenness. To go on a date and treat a lady this way show's poor character and self-centeredness. This is bad enough but if Sauerbrun's alleged actions towards this cab driver are confirmed I will stop going to Bronco games and stop watching the Broncos and professional football altogether. Supporting any human being who acts so arrogant and belligerent toward other human beings is simply wrong. Certainly, I am no fan of Sauerbrun and there out to be consequences of poor actions!

  • December 13, 2007

    7:55 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jpsparks writes:

    I do not believe a word that Metro taxi says, especially the cab drivers! I have a couple of friends who had issues with Metro Taxi because the cab drivers lied to the office. One driver told the office that they ran from the cab without paying, when what happened was that the driver got lost, ran the meter up, and they just didn't tip him because the meter was ran up anyway. However, the driver's story was the one that mattered so now he can't even take their taxi anymore, which isn't so bad! I'd hate to judge an entire company based on a couple of drivers but from my experience, I wouldn't trust what they had to say.

  • December 13, 2007

    8:16 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    kevin3 writes:

    No hard-working cabbie should have to take crap from some drunk a--with no self-respect! Especially one that makes millions just to kick a ball!

  • December 13, 2007

    9:07 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    kevin3 writes:

    Big_D, not all cabs have the pexiglass partition. If the cab in this case had one dont you think that would be a logical defense for the drunk a-- from the start?

    Also we cannot assume that Sauerbrun (was such a good citizen) took a cab so he would not put others in danger. Maybe he was forced to take a cab because the bouncer and staff knew he was a danger to the public.

  • December 13, 2007

    9:50 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jjbaldw writes:

    Sauerbrun has risked a multimillion dollar career by cheating and getting caught ...twice. Not only does this give him zero credibility in my mind, but demonstrates that he is about as dumb as a box of hair.

  • December 13, 2007

    11:32 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    dirkle writes:

    Cut the $1.4 million-dollar pig.

    In addition to all the past baggage, he is nothing but a liability to the organization both on and off the field.

    A bullethead (the Chicago game), a mediocre kicker at best (unimpressive net average and easy to block), and locker room cancer to boot (no pun intended).

    Count on him being released at the end of the season, but it's too bad Shanahan doesn't grow a pair and cut him asap as an example.

    Smell ya, Todd. Good riddance.

  • December 13, 2007

    12:51 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    R8R_H8R writes:

    Sauerbraun isn't kicking the ball worth a damn. his kickoffs are terrible and his punts have no hang time. He is constantly involved in trouble, steroids, etc. Him and the pot-smoking jerk Travis Henry cant get out of town soon enough for me. They are s.o.b.'s not worthy of being Denver Broncos. We want character guys like Rod Smith, Eddie Mac, T.D., Steve Atwater, Meck, and many more. Guys that appreciate what they have and are good people. Get rid of these jerks, Bronco fans dont want them.