McNabb jailed after 2013 arrest
MESA, Ariz. -- Former NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb was released Thursday from an Arizona jail after serving a one-day sentence for a misdemeanor DUI arrest late last year.
Records released by West Mesa Justice Court show McNabb served his time Wednesday and was released Thursday morning.
"I have had other high-profile athletes who have been incarcerated with no problems, and this latest athlete follows that same pattern," Maricopa County sheriff Joe Arpaio said.
McNabb, 37, was arrested Dec. 15 on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community east of Phoenix, according to court records.
A copy of the citation shows McNabb was stopped on the Loop 101 freeway just after 3 a.m., and radar clocked his Range Rover at 81 mph in a 65-mph zone. He also was cited for DUI, but no information about blood-alcohol level was on the citation.
McNabb pleaded guilty on March 27, and nine days of his sentence was suspended.
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office released McNabb's mug shot Thursday morning, and that started a media frenzy about the arrest, which had not been previously reported.
McNabb's Phoenix-based attorney, Stephen Benedetto, didn't immediately return a call Thursday seeking comment on the case.
McNabb played 13 years in the NFL after being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the second overall pick in 1999.
He led the Eagles to four straight NFC championship games from 2001 to 2004, and one Super Bowl berth that ended in a 24-21 loss to the New England Patriots in 2005.
McNabb played for the Washington Redskins in 2010 and Minnesota Vikings in 2011 before retiring. He currently co-hosts a sports talk radio show on Fox Sports 1 and has a home in the Phoenix area.
Fox Sports 1 released a statement that read: "We're aware that Donovan McNabb was charged with DUI four months ago in Arizona. We have discussed this situation with Donovan at length, and we're convinced that he understands the gravity of his offense and is sufficiently contrite. The legal process has been concluded and we plan no further disciplinary action at this time."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
