Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen was arrested early Sunday morning for allegedly driving while intoxicated, according to local police reports. According to a public police report, the 34-year-old was arrested in downtown Indianapolis around 1 a.m. Sunday.
Per the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, officers encountered Allen while conducting a traffic investigation in the 100 block of South Meridian Street. IMPD indicated that its officers initiated the investigation because they spotted a car that had been parked in a no-parking zone. When police came into contact with Allen during the investigation, they noticed signs of intoxication.
Allen was arrested on preliminary charges of DWI and DWI endangering a person, both misdemeanor charges. The preliminary charges Allen faces are Class C and Class A misdemeanors, respectively. He was arrested with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or more, according to police. Officers subsequently arrested Allen, and he was booked at the Marion County Adult Detention Center, according to local jail records.
The arrest came just hours after Allen played in his first preseason game with the Colts. The Colts had concluded their preseason Saturday evening at home against the Lions, with Allen catching one pass for 24 yards in that game. Notably, his arrest also came just before NFL teams were required to reduce their rosters to 53 players Sunday evening.
The arrest is especially jarring given how recently Allen joined the team. Allen had signed a one-year contract with the Colts on Aug. 19 that could be worth up to $8.32 million. The veteran wideout signed with the Colts less than two weeks ago after spending 12 seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers and one season with the Chicago Bears.
The Colts issued a brief statement following news of the arrest. “We are aware of the incident involving Keenan Allen last night,” the team said. “We are in the process of gathering more information and have no further comment at this time.”
Entering his 14th NFL season, Allen is a six-time Pro Bowl selection with 1,055 career receptions, 12,051 career receiving yards and 70 career receiving touchdowns — just 949 yards shy of the 13,000-yard club, which has only 23 members all-time. In 11 seasons with the Chargers, Allen became one of just two players in franchise history to accumulate more than 10,000 career receiving yards, and remains the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions.
The NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell could fine or suspend Allen. The league’s substance abuse policy allows for penalties as harsh as a mandatory three-game suspension when players are convicted of or plead guilty to alcohol-related criminal offenses, and if Allen were given a three-game suspension, he would not be paid for those games. Allen has not been formally charged at this point, and it remains to be seen what, if any, disciplinary steps the Colts or the league will take.
Leave a Reply