Commanders dismiss tight ends coach Ben Steele after DWI arrest
Commanders Announce Coaching Change
The Washington Commanders announced on Monday the termination of tight ends coach Ben Steele. This decision follows Steele’s recent arrest on suspicion of driving while intoxicated in Virginia. The team’s action occurred two days before the start of training camp.
Court records indicate that Steele was stopped on June 7 for a traffic infraction involving changing course after a signal. In addition to the DWI charge, Steele faces charges for refusing a breath test and obstructing or resisting an officer without force. These three charges are classified as class 1 misdemeanors in Virginia.
Details of the Arrest and Charges
A first-offense DWI in Virginia carries potential penalties including up to 12 months in jail, a fine between $250 and $2,500, and a one-year driver’s license suspension. Steele was released on $5,000 bail and has a court hearing scheduled for August 13 in Loudoun County District Court.
According to the arrest affidavit, a Loudoun County Sheriff’s deputy observed Steele in the vicinity of Route 28 and Route 7 around 3:50 a.m. The deputy noted Steele’s vehicle drifting left and weaving within its lane while his right signal was active. The officer recorded Steele’s speed between 25 and 30 mph on Gloucester Parkway, where the posted speed limit is 45 mph.
Upon stopping Steele, the officer observed signs of intoxication, including “glassy/red eyes, slurred speech, confused speech” and a “strong and distinct odor of an alcoholic beverage.” The affidavit states that Steele repeatedly declined requests to exit his vehicle, prompting the officer to physically enter the car to remove him. Steele reportedly resisted the officer during this attempt.
Steele refused to provide a breath test at the scene. However, he later submitted to a blood test, which revealed a blood alcohol content of 0.214 percent, according to records.
Team Response and Interim Coaching
The Commanders placed Steele on administrative leave after he informed the team of his arrest. The team subsequently reported the incident to the league. A source with knowledge of the situation, who was not authorized to speak publicly, indicated that Steele was later fired due to a violation of team policy.
During Steele’s administrative leave in June, Commanders offensive assistant Wes Welker took over coaching duties for the tight ends during mandatory minicamp. Both the NFL and Steele declined to comment on the situation.
Meanwhile, other teams are dealing with injuries as training camps begin. The San Francisco 49ers announced that wide receiver Christian Kirk is sidelined with a calf strain. Kirk, who signed with the 49ers in the offseason, is projected as the team’s third receiver. Other 49ers players who will not practice after sustaining injuries on Day 1 include offensive tackle Vederian Lowe (high ankle), defensive tackle Gracen Halton (knee bone bruise), and defensive lineman Andrew Farmer (back).
The 49ers signed Kirk in the offseason. He has averaged 54 catches for 677 yards and 3.8 touchdowns per season over eight NFL seasons. Vederian Lowe is expected to miss extended time due to his high ankle injury.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
