Posted on 09/14/2006 6:19:18 PM PDT by radar101
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Prosecutors say they suspect Chargers linebacker Steve Foley was on steroids when he was shot three times by an off-duty police officer.
"His history of aggressive and even violent contact with law enforcement indicates the possibility of more than mere alcohol involvement," wrote criminal investigator Dan Nordell in an affidavit for a search warrant. "(Steroids) can cause erratic behavior in those that use them. This has been given names like 'roid rage for the uncontrollable outbursts and violence experienced by some users."
On Thursday, prosecutors requested a sample of Foley's blood from Sharp Memorial Hospital, where he was reported in fair condition earlier in the week.
Authorities have no evidence that Foley, 31, was using performance-enhancing drugs but want to test his blood because the linebacker has had previous run-ins with law enforcement, according to the affidavit.
The NFL tests players for performance-enhancing drugs but not human growth hormone. Players are randomly selected for testing and can be tested during the offseason.
In 2000, Foley told Cincinnati reporters he was in the NFL's alcohol rehab program after getting a DUI the previous year.
Foley's attorney, John G. Phillips, refused to comment on the affidavit.
"I have no comment about whatever they're doing," said David Levine, Foley's agent. "That's not going to be my part in this."
Representatives for the Chargers also declined to comment, citing the "sensitive nature" of the investigation, but the team issued a brief statement: "The Chargers hope that everyone will wait until all of the facts are revealed and not rush to judgment."
Sheriff's investigators already have asked prosecutors to charge Foley with misdemeanor drunken driving. In the affidavit, Nordell wrote that Foley's blood-alcohol level was 0.233 percent, nearly three times California's legal driving limit of 0.08 percent, when he was shot Sept. 3 outside his home in suburban Poway.
Foley, who is 6-foot-4, 265 pounds, was shot three times -- twice in the back of the left leg and once on the outside of the left thigh -- by an off-duty Coronado police officer. San Diego County sheriff's officials said the officer followed Foley's restored classic car on suspicion that the driver was drunk after spotting the car weaving and driving at speeds up to 90 mph.
According to the sheriff's department, the officer, Aaron Mansker, followed the car for about 30 miles off the freeway. The shooting occurred after Foley got out of the car and began walking toward the officer, who said he was armed and fired a warning shot. The officer shot Foley after the linebacker reached into his pants with his right hand, according to sheriff's investigators.
Mansker has been placed on paid administrative leave.
Since 1999, Foley has been arrested at least five times, including cases that police say involved alcohol and confrontations with officers.
In April, he was arrested for investigation of resisting arrest after police said he scuffled with officers. He also was booked for investigation of battery on a police officer and public drunkenness, but the district attorney's office has not pressed charges. A spokesman for the district attorney's office, Paul Levikow, said charges still might be brought in that case pending the outcome of the current investigation.
Foley pleaded guilty to drunken driving in Louisiana in 1999 and received probation.
AP Sports Writer Bernie Wilson contributed to this story.
I can see it now, All Charges Dropped On Foley, Officer Charged With Excessive Use Of Force. /sarcasm
Of course, the NFL has effective checks that catch steroid use by players. The game is clean. There might be a few bad apples, but they are eventually caught via random unannounced testing. There is no problem here. Nothing to see, move along.
John Matuzak
Honest..
Impressive.
Foley "Foley stopped his car several times and blocked the road, and at one point pulled over to the median and got out. The 6-foot-4-inch, 265-pound linebacker charged at Mansker and came within 10 feet of him. Mansker shouted repeatedly that he was a police officer. Gaut also got out of the car and shouted at Mansker. Foley finally told the officer that his weapon was a “BB gun” and Foley and Gaut got back into the car and drove away. Foley stopped his car once again on Treadwell Drive and this time Gaut got out of the car and started walking toward the officer. She ignored his order to stop and she and Foley got back in the car and drove away again. " I am sure that the police officer should shoulder all the blame though. /sarc
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