Seahawks fullback Owen Schmitt was arrested last month for DUI. His blood alcohol content reportedly was measured at 0.151 percent and 0.161 percent.
And Schmitt issued a statement, in which he apologized for exercising "poor judgment."
Last week, while participating in the Anthony Becht Football Camp less than a mile from where I'm currently sitting, Schmitt told the kids that everyone makes mistakes, that he recently made a mistake of his own, and that he's not proud of it.
Some of you, then, might have trouble reconciling Schmitt's contrition with the plea he has entered in the pending legal case.
Per Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times, Schmitt has pleaded not guilty.
On the surface, that's confusing. But the reality is that few if any criminal defendants ever stand up and say "I did it" during the arraignment. Though Schmitt apparently was and is guilty, the slim chance of a rogue jury or a botched Breathalyzer test should be enough to help Schmitt negotiate a better outcome than that which would attach if he were to cave barely two weeks after getting busted.
Owen Schmitt Pleads Not Guilty
Posted by Mike Florio on July 7, 2009 10:22 PM ET
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15 Comments 
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Latest stories in: Latest News and Rumors, Legal, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Legal, Seattle Seahawks, Top Stories
Ok, here's what I don't get-- somehow this guy is making way more money than I'm making, yet I still can pay for a cab home on a night out drinking???? Is it really that hard?
0.151 percent and 0.161 percent for anyone who attended WVU for 4 years isn't really that bad, he probably actually thought he was ok to drive...
hard to find a cap in West Virginia?? actually....yeah it prolly is. doesn't excuse it tho.
its called alcoholism. and the reason for the not guilty plea was pretty much just to buy time for him to figure out how he and his lawyer(s) want to go about it. being that he blew almost and then twice the legal limit, he might have to plead guilty when the proceedings begin/resume. but, i wouldn't doubt if he got off with negligent driving and a fine and possible community service, which wouldn't be hard for him because he's a pro athlete and my assumption is they are doing community service all the time.
Who cares? He'll be suspended a game or 2. Then he'll be back playin like its no big deal. Its just an NFL player who did it. Doesn't bother me one bit. Just cause he's a NFL player means he has to subjected to harder than a regular person? I bet you Donte Stallworth don't give a damn if he doesn't play again. He ain't going to prison. Stallworth should be suspended only a game or 2 as well. But Goodell will be a hard ass and never let Stallworth back into the league again. Its all just entertainment anyway.
I'm sure the cop used the wrong color ink pen or forgot to check a box on the DUI Form therefore this guy will be not guilty or get a reduced charge. Thats pretty much how it freaking works....
He should have used Jim Romes Celebrity Drunk Cab...call 1-800-BAAAAAAAA
So he's really contrite for his mistake but he wants to use every legal tactic possible to avoid the consequences of it. Got it. How could anyone be confused by that.
Florio, remember when you called this guy a first round pick?
Shouldn't the days without an arrest meter be reset? At least back to the date of the arrest...
People who are not football players get DUI's all the time and do whatever they can to get out of it, ALL THE TIME. It's amazing to me that you people act like everybody who plays pro football is a drunk driver, and that there's something wrong with not trying to pay fines or possibly lose your license. And don't say, "Well I wouldn't put myself in that situation" because its obvious that people do all the damn time and the only reason why we're sitting here talking about it is because there's some slime ball who trolls around police stations looking to my money on somebody who's been pinched. I'm not saying that what we did wasn't wrong and that he shouldn't be punished, I'm saying that people screw up, get arrested and constantly do things to reduce the charges. Make a damn arrest meter for the places you all work, and blog about them.
He went to WVU. 0.151 and 0.161 are nothing. Really. I'm not condoning drunk driving, but he's probably got an immunity built to the point that he didn't think he was too drunk to drive.
I would bet he's following the advice of his lawyer. You're a lawyer, Florio, so your surprise isn't so convincing. Schmitt is a good man who made a mistake. How about letting the legal process take its course. The country embraced this guy after his performance in and interview after the Fiesta Bowl. Why abandon him now?
He most likely has learned his lesson and will never drive "Schmitt-Faced" again.
WoPhat says:
July 8, 2009 8:18 AM
Shouldn't the days without an arrest meter be reset? At least back to the date of the arrest...
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That was done when he was arrested. He was arrested on June 20...... 18 days ago. (see meter)