Moss makes apologies, leaves traffic agent off list

CBS Sportsline.com ^ | Sept. 26, 2002 | AP

[Randjuke]

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings receiver Randy Moss apologized to his team, family and friends Thursday -- but not to the woman he's accused of pushing with his car while trying to make a turn.

Moss spent a night in jail after the Tuesday night episode, which resulted in two misdemeanors but no felony charges. Moss will start Sunday's game against Seattle, and his agent said the team will fine him, although the amount hasn't yet been determined.

"I'm sorry for what I've caused and what I brought on everyone who really cares about me or this team," Moss said during a news conference. "I am human. I am a man. I do take care of my responsibilities, and I stand up for my actions."

Moss, however, made no direct mention of Amy Zaccardi, the 27-year-old traffic control officer who police say stepped in front of Moss' car to stop him from making an illegal turn. Police say the 25-year-old Moss slowly pushed her along the street, stopping when she fell off the car.

Zaccardi, who's a city employee but not a police officer, was not seriously hurt.

"I don't know if trouble is out to find me," Moss said. "But I'm certainly not out to find trouble," Moss said.

Moss said the arrest was especially unfortunate considering all the attention he's received for being a team leader early in the season.

"I'm trying to be there, trying to change, trying to change for the best," he said.

Moss whistled as he walked out of jail Wednesday. He was charged with careless driving and failure to obey a traffic officer. He faces a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine on each charge. He will be arraigned Oct. 2.

Police also said they found a marijuana cigarette in Moss' car, an amount that would qualify as a petty misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $200. But no drug charge has been filed. Moss' agent, Dante DiTrapano, and his attorney, Joe Friedberg, have said that the marijuana did not belong to Moss.

Moss didn't directly say who the marijuana belonged to, but he reiterated that other people have had use of the car.

"I know they had to discipline me, for what reason I don't know," Moss said.

Under NFL rules, Moss will undergo mandatory "evaluation" because he was charged. Any disciplinary action would follow a conviction or guilty plea.

AP NEWS The Associated Press News Service

[white trash redneck]

He was charged with careless driving and failure to obey a traffic officer.

Doesn't strike me as much different from brandishing a firearm. Why isn't he being charged with assault with a deadly weapon?

[GSWarrior]

What are the Vikings going to do? I don't think this type of behavior would be tolerated by the Denver Bronco or SF 49er organizations, to name two.

[dfwgator]

Moss wants out of Minnesota, he is just trying to force the Vikes hand.

[Wolfie]

I heard him on the radio this morning. He was yelling at a female reporter who dared to ask a question. Went from zero to ballistic in nothing flat. This guy doesn't have a clue that he did anything wrong. Of course, he's been pampered his whole life (or at least since they found out he run fast and catch a ball), so why would he?

[Brookhaven]

Moss wants out of Minnesota,

To go where?

I can't imagine a single team willing to take a chance on Moss at this point, especially with the high salary he would require.

[Pahuanui]

I can't imagine a single team willing to take a chance on Moss at this point, especially with the high salary he would require.

Dollars to donuts says the Bengals would take him at 1/2 the price.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Moss seemed to be under control while Chris Carter was around. As the reporter found, he has a very short fuse.

[Brian Allen]

<< I don't think this type of behavior would be tolerated by the Denver Broncos or SF 49ers organizations, to name two. >>

Me too.

Not my Broncos!

Or them other fellers.

[Pahuanui]

Moss seemed to be under control while Chris Carter was around.

I just realized that there are spooky parallels here between Moss and Mike Tyson.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Randy Moss is a lot smarter than Mike. Both have serious mental problems, tho.

[Ditto]

Went from zero to ballistic in nothing flat.

Sounds typical of steroid poisoning to me.

[egarvue]

I am a die hard Minnesota fan (living in Bear country), and I have never been been so angry at my team as I am now. Even though he is a heck of a player, the Vikes need to dump this piece of crap like yesterday's garbage.

[Pahuanui]

What I mean is that Tyson originally trained with a father-type figure, Constantine "Cus" D'Amato, and was under control and going places. He died, and Tyson became an out of contol nut.

Carter leaves, and.....

[tall_tex]

The Cowboys would take him but he would have to admit the pot was his. Jerry likes his guys to prove they use drugs.

[FreeTally]

I can't imagine a single team willing to take a chance on Moss at this point, especially with the high salary he would require.

Isn't he in the early years of a $75 million contract? Any team he would be traded to would have to pay it. I don't see the Vikings just straight out releasing him. I think under NFL rules, they still have to pay his salary.

[paul51]

I am a man.

Nope. You haven't grown up yet.

[american spirit]

Well at least he didn't bring up the fact that some of his problems were caused by the historical oppression of blacks by the white man.

[robjna]

until dips@#$ owners stop paying these thugs and gangsters millions of dollars , the behavior will continue. to be rewarded 5-10 million a year to play professional sports should come with some responsibilty. i am sick to death of gangsters like alen iverson , randy moss, ray lewis dominating the news and being rewarded for it. the owners have to say enough is enough and blacklist these idiots or they will continue to lose fan support.

[Snuffington]

Isn't he in the early years of a $75 million contract? Any team he would be traded to would have to pay it.

You are correct sir. That's why they're stuck with him.