Eagles wide receiver Josh Huff spoke to reporters on Wednesday about his Tuesday arrest on the New Jersey side of the Walt Whitman Bridge that connects that state with Pennsylvania.
Huff was charged with criminal possession of a weapon after police found a 9mm handgun and six hollow-point bullets in his car after he was pulled over for speeding. Huff was also cited for DUI and received a summons for marijuana possession.
Huff’s gun is licensed in Texas but not in New Jersey, leading Huff to say he made a “terrible decision” on Tuesday and apologize to the team. Huff explained why he had the gun in his possession.
“I’m a professional athlete,” Huff said, via NJ.com. “What professional athlete don’t have a gun? I have a wife and I have a son at home. My job is to protect them at all cost. To protect myself as well. Even though I know I have security here, I know I have to protect myself as well.”
Huff said that he knows “my actions come with consequences” and he faces potential NFL discipline in addition to the criminal charges in New Jersey. Eagles coach Doug Pederson said earlier on Wednesday that he expects Huff to play on Sunday against the Giants.