Anthony apologetic after arrest
Nuggets won't say whether he'll play against Memphis
By Jean Torkelson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published April 14, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
Updated April 15, 2008 at 5:54 a.m.
Photo by Denver Police Department
Carmelo Anthony's booking mug shot, taken in the early morning of April 14, 2008.
A silver Mercedes, darting from lane to lane at 4 a.m. - it was enough to get Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony arrested Monday on suspicion of drunken driving, police said.
Anthony, 23, was stopped on southbound Interstate 25 near 20th Street for failing to stay in his lane and dim his lights, police said. Anthony voluntarily took a blood-alcohol test, but the results will not be known for about two weeks.
Shortly after being taken to jail, Anthony was released into the custody of "a sober, responsible party," according to Denver Detective Sharon Hahn, who did not identify the person.
The Nuggets all-star is scheduled to appear in Denver County Court at 8 a.m. on May 14.
If convicted of DUI, Anthony could face a suspension of one or two games. Nuggets officials did not comment on Anthony's availability for Wednesday's game against Memphis at the Pepsi Center. On Monday, the team issued a brief statement:
"We are aware of the situation involving Carmelo Anthony. We are currently gathering information, and we will have no further comment at this time."
Anthony's attorney, Dan Recht, also issued a statement:
"Carmelo was pulled over late Sunday night on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. He cooperated by consenting to a blood test. . . . There was no accident, and no one was hurt.
"Like anyone in a similar situation, Carmelo has to wait for the results of the blood test. He regrets putting himself in this situation. In the meantime, Carmelo will try to stay focused on his family and his team. Carmelo apologized to fans, the Denver community, his teammates and the Nuggets organization for the distraction this is causing them."
In February, Anthony was ticketed in Arapahoe County for driving 25 mph over the posted speed limit. A hearing is set for May in that speeding case.
Rocky Mountain News sports department, CBS 4 News and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
A bumpy past
Whether he was in the wrong place at the wrong time or in the middle of a scuffle, Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony has experienced his share of controversy.
* September 2004 Involved in an altercation at a Manhattan nightclub after going to the defense of finance LaLa Vazquez. Three men attempted to extort $3 million in exchange for surveillance video of the scuffle.
* October 2004 Cited for carrying a small bag of marijuana in his backpack as the Nuggets board the team plane for Los Angeles. The charge is dropped after a friend says he had left the pot in the backpack.
* November 2004 A bootleg DVD surfaces showing Anthony hanging out in Baltimore with a man who threatens to kill drug snitches.
* July 2006 A childhood friend is arrested on suspicion of marijuana possession while driving a car registered to Anthony's company. The friend said the pot belonged to him and the case was dropped.
* December 2006 Anthony is suspended 15 games for throwing a punch during a brawl at Madison Square Garden.
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April 15, 2008
1:46 a.m.
Suggest removal
happymike44 writes:
This guy should be benched till he can sober up.But bet because he is a big football hero he won't even get prosecuted for this.Me and you would get put in prison with the molesters and rapist.Him he will probably be the poster boy for AM I Bad whoops.Well if he plays as well as he drives it will be a losing season.
April 15, 2008
1:49 a.m.
Suggest removal
Highcountry writes:
More evidence for my theory that posters on this site are complete morons: The genius who posted above me thinks Melo is a "big football hero." That deserves a Chris Mathews' "HA!"
April 15, 2008
2:29 a.m.
Suggest removal
bobthebigfatbovine writes:
Everyone knows Melo is a hockey star, duh.
And for the serious stuff:
Yes he will get a slap on the wrist, however this slap will leave a mark on him. If he gets caught again doing anything stupid as this DUI, reality will kick him in the balls.
April 15, 2008
4:23 a.m.
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LOUIE writes:
He's a kid, makes a lot of money, needs better judgement. He is in a position to make a difference.
April 15, 2008
5:09 a.m.
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jason45 writes:
Melo must be very dumb......
April 15, 2008
5:56 a.m.
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dano writes:
happymike44...don't smoke crack and post.
April 15, 2008
6:11 a.m.
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moles3144 writes:
He is 23 years old, who is going to make mistakes the key is if he learns from this and there is not a 2nd incident. Furthermore, all the people that are blasting Anthony I would venture to bet more then half of them probably have drove home while above the legal blood alchohol limit in the last 6 months. The only difference is you didn't get caught. Because he makes millions of dollars that in some way makes it different for him to call a cab then the rest of us that fail to do so. Come on people stop taking this holyer then thou approach and look at yourself and realize "you know that could have been me" We all make mistakes in judgement and Carmelo Anthony getting a DUI pales in comparison to other things going on in the world. I love the NUggets and a huge supporter of Anthony, but if we as a society cared about more important issues as much as we do about athletes making human mistakes this place would be in a lot better shape.
April 15, 2008
6:13 a.m.
Suggest removal
antrocks writes:
Melo, the football star who averages 25.8 points per game, will give The Nuggets a chance to accomplish something the Rockies were unable to: Beat Boston and win a championship. In all likelihood, The Celts will stomp whichever of the west coast teams make it to the finals, but with Melo, A.I., and J.R, I would take The Nuggets at anything better than 5-1 odds. And - in all likelihood, Melo was pulled over and arrested for D.W.B. But what I am left wondering about, Jean, is the breathalyzer that Melo, apparently, did not take. Or did he? What is the deal here? Oh, and: was it A.I. or J.R. who picked Melo up from prison?
A.I., right?
April 15, 2008
6:26 a.m.
Suggest removal
nobodyman writes:
The Thuggets strike again!
"He is 23 years old, who is going to make mistakes the key is if he learns from this and there is not a 2nd incident."
I know plenty of people who were 23 that didn't get arrested for felonies. You can say "they probably didn't get caught" but if they were driving under the influence it probably wasn't in a fancy car, driving erratically with the high beams on. Willfully committing the occasional crime is one thing, doing it repeatedly, whilst being an idiot is something else entirely. Look at the portion of the article entitled "A bumpy past", this guy has a history of these "mistakes".
"Because he makes millions of dollars that in some way makes it different for him to call a cab then the rest of us that fail to do so."
Yes. If I made millions of dollars I'd have a car available 24/7, then I could go to the bars I *want* to go to instead of the crappy ones that are within walking distance, or paying $50 round trip for a cab. I'm not holding him to a higher standard at all, I just think he should exercise regular old common sense. His money just gives him more options, and thus less excuses for not coming up with a better plan.
April 15, 2008
6:31 a.m.
Suggest removal
El_Mariachi writes:
Melo the "Big football hero"...LOL
He wasn't drunk!...His cornrows were too tight!
April 15, 2008
6:57 a.m.
Suggest removal
Buckwheat writes:
Here's a guy that has it all, and doesn't realize what the hell to do with it. He could be a leader, poster boy for the NBA, someone for the kids to look up to. Instead he's inmature, and pampered. Seems like he just can't stay out of trouble of one sort or another. What a waste of talent.
April 15, 2008
7:07 a.m.
Suggest removal
forwhatitis writes:
Nobodyman, what felony was Anthony arrested for?
"I know plenty of people who were 23 that didn't get arrested for felonies."
April 15, 2008
7:20 a.m.
Suggest removal
CUEmployee writes:
Nice job Melo and nice apology too. He's sorry he put himself in this situation. What about the other people on the road that he could have killed with his reckless driving? Another pampered punk posing as an athlete, welcome to the NBA.
April 15, 2008
7:54 a.m.
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El_Mariachi writes:
jeuden_frei are you serious? And I thought the guy who said that Melo was a "Big football hero" was a moron.
April 15, 2008
7:55 a.m.
Suggest removal
AWM writes:
He's a want-to-be thug! If he could shoot & dribble a basketball he'd probably be in jail already. I'm sick of these idiot athletes and we need to let the team managers know we wont tollerate this behavior (Travis Henry, Brandon Marshall, K. Martin, Carmello) and we dont want individuals like this in our town as role models for children. I glad Melo didn't hurt anyone, but I'm sure he'll get the DA some courtside seat and get this plead down to a faulty tailight or something!
April 15, 2008
8:06 a.m.
Suggest removal
bkerickson writes:
Yep, Melo's a thug, just like that punk Pete Coors.
April 15, 2008
8:11 a.m.
Suggest removal
Highcountry writes:
Pete Coors is a punk. Let's keep Melo; trade Coors.
April 15, 2008
8:14 a.m.
Suggest removal
nobodyman writes:
I agree that MADD is out of control. The BAC limit is arbitrarily low but if states don't cooperate they risk Federal Highway Funding.
MADD is a stupid organization that is about anger, revenge, a vendetta against alcohol, and most importantly money. They use victims of tragedy to further their agenda and their lucritive campaign against alcohol.
All one must do is look to the head of MADD, he's your typical big time corporate CEO type and is obviously not a mother. He lines his pockets almost literally with the tears of these "mad mothers." And speaking of the mothers, trying to have a coherent conversation with these people- often unable to get over the past no matter how many years go by, and looking to ruin the lives of anyone with an alcohol related offense (as if ruining more lives is the answer)- is nearly impossible.
My answer to MADD members is to get over it and move on, I'm sure your dead loved ones don't want to waste your life being angry and spiteful.
April 15, 2008
8:16 a.m.
Suggest removal
RG2008 writes:
Give it a rest. Melo didn't do anything 90% of Americans haven't done. The only question is did he sober up enough before he drove home to pass the DWI test. If not he'll be needing that shaufer service for the next year.
April 15, 2008
8:20 a.m.
Suggest removal
Squatch writes:
1 1/2 beers equal drunk.
April 15, 2008
8:28 a.m.
Suggest removal
DeimosJB writes:
Jeuden_Frei, in the "good old days" where you all drank 6-packs, they apparently didn't have science. The legal BAC limits are set because study after study has shown that a BAC as low as .02 lowers your reaction time, and at .04 you have greatly decreased your decision-making ability and your self-control. Many of you can probably confirm through experience this loss of cognitive power, having found yourselves the next morning waking up and realizing you have made decisions you would have never made sober, if you remember those decisions at all. Welcome to the 21st century, where all those other drivers on the road care about getting home safely, rather than being hit by another driver. If you yearn for the good ol' days of drinking a 6 pack at the game, follow the same advice you're giving to Melo, call a cab.
April 15, 2008
8:39 a.m.
Suggest removal
gcrez writes:
hey moles3144,
Don't give us the "he's 23 years old,blah,blah, mistakes, blah,... and just because it is the norm to drive drunk for you and your buddies doesn't mean the rest of the world does it.
Melo is a cocky, big headed super star. He doesn't feel that he should be punished the same as the rest of us. Look at his list of accomplishments above. The marijuana charges are the biggest joke of our crooked system. "It ain't mine", is the typical saying you hear on COPS, it means one thing, GUILTY! Come on now folks, do you really believe that someone would leave a bag of weed in his possession, twice! If it were anyone who wasn't famous in that situation, they would get pinned no matter who came forward and said it was theirs. Speeding 25 mph over, that is just rubbing his status in other people's faces. He's just a punk kid, that has millions, so he thinks he is invencible. They need to make an example of him and actually charge him for the crimes he has commited. Just another example of how someone's sports performances can exempt them from the law. It happens all the time, and the rest of us have to play by the rules. I hope they lock him up!
April 15, 2008
8:43 a.m.
Suggest removal
Steph writes:
The guy's a piece of trash. Does anyone actually think this is the last stupid thing he'll do? All you people bitching about MADD - how would you feel if your child or spouse was killed by a drunk driver?
April 15, 2008
9:05 a.m.
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holekeeper writes:
MY god people, Calm down and take a breath. are melos issues worth all of this. I have known people who didnt have millions and got away with more. Nobody flipped out like this when greise got arrested for the same thing. and yes I balme Coors more that Melo. I dont like melo, nor most of the NBA in general but this is small compared to most. If you want him out STOP GOING TO THE *%#@&^$ games! He is a uneducated punk but we have all made mistakes, lets worry about what we can control, oh yea the "football Hero" thing was funny. and 20 1/2 beers equles fat wife and 4 kids.
April 15, 2008
9:13 a.m.
Suggest removal
holekeeper writes:
The beer goggles work no more I have had to move on to meth
April 15, 2008
9:15 a.m.
Suggest removal
Nika writes:
jeuden_frei - you aren't worth the effort as obviously could care less about anyone but yourself and don't mind saying so. The good old days were days of much less traffic, much less concern for who you endanger. MADD has a purpose. It has a goal - to save your kids - regardless of insurance policies - from being hurt or killed. People who continue to behave like Melo and receive no punishment have no reason to change. Until he hurts or kills someone, they will do nothing to him which is exactly why we see those in court with - 10, 20 or more previous arrests and convictions. Driving sober is not punishment - it is just good common sense. If you want to drink, get other transportation which doesn't endanger the rest of us out on the road.
April 15, 2008
9:29 a.m.
Suggest removal
holekeeper writes:
JEUDEN_FREI,
AAAAAAAAHHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA i HAVE NEVER LAUGHED SO HArd. Unless of course your not joking...if not give me a call I know places that are safe. (wisper) big brother is everywhere
April 15, 2008
9:58 a.m.
Suggest removal
airbornebigfoot writes:
another no gut gets arrested,
who cares. wait until the lakers kick their butt in the first round of the playoffs that they backed into.
everybody will be squealing that it was 'melos DUI that cursed them.
hey, at least he wasnt traveling 103 mph on east first ave in cherry creek, like kenyon martin does.
April 15, 2008
10:01 a.m.
Suggest removal
Biff writes:
I just don't understand why he dosesn't buy an Escalade and pay a driver $50 grand to drive him around all year. Seems so simple to me.
April 15, 2008
10:48 a.m.
Suggest removal
Francesca writes:
LOUIE on April 15, 2008 at 4:23 a.m. wrote: "He's a kid, makes a lot of money, needs better judgement. He is in a position to make a difference." Let's see if he can turn it around to his advantage. Everyone makes mistakes, appears he is having a hard time learning from his though.
April 15, 2008
10:54 a.m.
Suggest removal
McGowdog writes:
"This guy should be benched till he can sober up.But bet because he is a big football hero he won't even get prosecuted for this.Me and you would get put in prison with the molesters and rapist.Him he will probably be the poster boy for AM I Bad whoops.Well if he plays as well as he drives it will be a losing season."
This ummm... post here confuses me on so many levels.
Benched till he can sober up? Is he still drinkin? What does Melo drink during the game? Are you sayin it's not the yellow?
But bet because he is a big football hero? Bet me, buddy. He hasn't had a touchdown or a sack or blocked a punt or made an extra point in like FOREVER!
He won't even get prosecuted for this? So the DA and the cops and the 18th judicial department and the Judge will just say, "Melo, we like the way you play that football. Now go out there and beat those Raiders or we're gonna bust yo AGHGHGHGHGHGH$$!"
Me and you would get put in prison with the molesters and the rapist. First of all, hmmm. There's "molesters" in prison, but only one "rapist"? Really? And what's the difference between them?" Does the Rapist NOT wet the sponge or something? So me and you would get the book just thrown at us. "So, Probation Officer Mc Murphy, you recommend sending those two low-lifes's, NON-FOOTBALL STARS, to Molest-Me Rape-Me Prison for misdemeanor DUI. Nice job."
"Him he will probably be the poster boy for AM I Bad whoops." Yeah, I hear that! I agree with ya there Bro. He probably will be the poster boy for AM I Bad Whoops. Who else is gonna be the poster boy for AM I Bad Whoops? You just don't see quite enough poster boys for this here cause lately. Has anyone else noticed that?
"Well if he plays as well as he drives it will be a losing season."
So let me get this straight. If he plays as well as he drives. If he plays as well as he.......drives. If he drives.., no wait, If he plays. It will be a losing season.
So what you're saying is that a DUI equals Negative 10 games.
Wow! That's a pretty stiff penalty for sure. That's like way worse than a flagrant.
April 15, 2008
11:12 a.m.
Suggest removal
holekeeper writes:
Mcgowdog,
Melo must have walked all season cosidering the nug's are like 17 games over .500.
I have seen some of his drives and sober or drunk he can take thiswhite boy to school.
then we have somebody with the screen name of CUemployee chiming in. You worry about your atheltes up there. I have the perfect punishment for them we can send them to Cu and they can take a class from Mr. Ethnic Studies and then they have to hug let say 2000 trees, then they have to walk down pearl street without getting high. Then they have to be involved in a block party without a permit turns into riot and if they manahe to escape without a splinter, pepper spray, able to pass a drug test, and without being copied then they get a second chance!
April 15, 2008
11:21 a.m.
Suggest removal
RockLobster writes:
LOL, McGowdog! My head is still spinning from happymike's post (which certainly isn't the first time he's caused that to happen) so I appreciate you breaking it down like you did.
As for the topic, even if I made the kind of money Melo makes I wouldn't hire a driver,simply because I enjoy driving way too much to let someone do it for me. Oh yeah, but there's one difference between Melo and I...........I DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!!!!
April 15, 2008
11:27 a.m.
Suggest removal
McGowdog writes:
Melo makes like $13,041,250.00 per year. He could call a helicopter to bring him home. For that matter, he could probably drive that helicopter and not get a DUI.
I dare MADD to try and stop him up there. That'll be the new trend. Football players-er NBA Stars getting FUIs.
April 15, 2008
11:32 a.m.
Suggest removal
P1nayballa12 writes:
How many people can actually say they haven't done what he did?? I know a hell of a lot of people who drink at a club or house party and then decide they are good enough to drive home. They may be a lil tipsy but they make it without getting caught. Just because he made the decision to do something half of Americans do everyday doesn't mean he's a bad person. He made a mistake, like all of us do. He may not or may learn from it but we can't criticize him for something so many of us do.
April 15, 2008
11:40 a.m.
Suggest removal
moles3144 writes:
nobodyman and grec,
Its people like you who put the athletes on pedistols. How many fans last night left the Pepsi Center drunk and got behind the wheel, the only difference is they didn't get caught. Who cares if he makes millions of dollars and you both make 30K. So you both could get a cab ride for $20 while he could get a charted plane. The point is both parties involved by not choosing an alternative method home made HUMAN mistakes. Its funny to me that getting a DUI is something THUGetts only do? Wow very intelligent maybe you should come to the Jail and see how many "other" non thugs get hauled in for DUI.
April 15, 2008
12:04 p.m.
Suggest removal
spursfanincolorado writes:
LMAO the THUGetts
April 15, 2008
12:59 p.m.
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psu96 writes:
he was a stand up guy in his hs years as well, wannabe thug
April 15, 2008
1:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
CUEmployee writes:
holekeeper,
I work for the University, not the pampered sports "stars", so put your head back in that hole and STFU.
April 15, 2008
1:22 p.m.
Suggest removal
nobodyman writes:
What I'm reading from some of you is we should excuse his DUI because "everyone does it, they just don't get caught." So does that mean we should excuse EVERY DUI because "everyone does it, they just don't get caught"? Hmmm, I don't think I'm the one putting athletes on a pedestal.
"made HUMAN mistakes"
Over and over and over and over. Even if we excuse this mistake I can't excuse him for being an idiot. If you're in the limelight, that's not your fault but you can at least adjust your behavior for your own self preservation. I dunno, if you want to get away with DUIs maybe a Corolla would be a better choice than a speeding Benz with HIDs on full blast? Like I said, I can dismiss the DUI as bad luck/an error in judgement but I can't dismiss a long history of idiocy.
April 15, 2008
1:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
Nika writes:
jeudin_frei - interesting opinion. Well, you know that I am not worried about my DNA as I am not out committing crimes that would be searching for it - you sound like you really hate this country - perhaps you should consider going to a country without regard to lives, safety and doing things using your common sense as I am not seeing that you have a lot of that. You sound young, immature, bitter and inexperienced. Pitty.
April 15, 2008
1:59 p.m.
Suggest removal
GWM writes:
Poor, poor jeudin! Care to buy a clue? ;-)
April 15, 2008
2:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
dano writes:
The cops are going to take a beating on this. He'll test negative, and whoever took him to the Ritz will get their badge pooped on. Hat off to the cop who took it to the next level. Protect Melo at all costs. Boston would do the same for Garnett. He's not above the law, but he is on this stupid charge. Stop Hickenlooper any night and he's smashed. Why wouldn't he be?
April 15, 2008
3:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
Nika writes:
Doubt that he tests negative - cops are pretty careful when dealing with celebreties and seldom just charge them unless there is a reason. Don't know that Hickenlooper is smashed - where does that come from. One has nothing to do with the other - I agree with other comments - you make that kind of money you need to have a car on call 24/7 to get you home without this stuff. Drink all you want, just don't get in a car after you do.
April 15, 2008
11:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
happymike44 writes:
Well everybody it once again seems if you have enough money you can get away with murder.This guy has tons of money and fame and what does he do he poops on the society that gave it to him.He needs to go to jail and spend time with the rapist and killers so he knows what real bad boys look like.But I guess he is just proving the stereotype that all black people can't handle their liquor.I was also the victim of a drunk driver but I was the lucky one.My car was hit so hard you could not tell what make it was.The other driver hopped out and hauled her butt home.Her family called a friend who drove her to the bus station.She then promptly boarded a bus for mexico.My car was totaled and I had to ride a bike for 4 years till I could save up enough money.My insurance company denied my claim and left me holding the bag for all my medical.Then they canceled my policy for making a claim.Boy I was a winner of the I'm sorry will cover everything.Then when I went to lien her business,she had filed the papers to protect it by giving it to her family.Wow I want everyone to get lucky with a drunk driver and lose their butt in court and lose their insurance even when its not your fault.I got a new car and this time I got hit by a old woman who had no insurance and the cop let her go because she had no one to come get her.So she would have to walk home,her insurance was no good and her registration was in the former owners name,and her license was a fake as well.This discovered after my attorney ran her name.By the way when I made my claim for that you got it denied and then canceled for making the claim.So I do not cry when the insurance companies are forced to pay someone a million dollars,why because I have suffered twice and both times they were not there.By the way the first comapany showed a logo of the hands holding and taking care,don't believe it for a minute.They took care of themselves first and me last,Also after they canceled me you got it I got a letter telling me how much they missed as a customer.Guess they missed a person who paid their bill on time.Do I miss them I have warned all my relatives to be careful of these peopl.By the way just before they canceled me my insurance went from 1,400 a year to 3,000 year because I made a claim.
April 15, 2008
11:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
ES writes:
By the way. Notice he opted for the blood test. People do that to stall the test hoping the alcohol will get out of their system. Never works. Bye Mello. Sick of you. GO AWAY.
You were driving at a level where you were putting people's lives at risk. I doubt your sincerity. I doubt your integrity. GO AWAY and go to some east coast team where you can get away with raping a girl and murder.