Cowboys defensive tackle Jay Ratliff was arrested on DWI charges last week and Monday brought the news that his blood alcohol content was 0.16 when he crashed his car into a highway median.
That’s twice the legal limit and the arrest comes less than two months after defensive lineman Josh Brent was charged with intoxication manslaughter in the death of linebacker Jerry Brown. Ratliff reportedly met with Jerry Jones after the arrest and the team released a statement Monday from former Cowboys player Calvin Hill, who is now a consultant in the team’s player development program.
“Having recently experienced the most tragic of circumstances regarding this issue, we, as an organization, understand the ultimate consequences of driving while impaired. We know that one incident is too many. The critical goal is to effect the decision making process in the hours before the wrong decision is made.
Our player assistance programs in the areas of preventing incidents such as these are at the highest level in professional sports, but we are always looking to do better and for ways to improve. We will continue to draw upon the best expertise and resources available, both internally and from outside the organization, to work toward being the best in the areas of education, prevention, and effecting the right decisions.
We have been in communication with Jay Ratliff regarding this incident, and we will monitor the legal process and work within the NFL guidelines for player behavior moving forward.”
Ratliff hasn’t made any public comment since the arrest.