Former star LB Arrington hurt in motorcycle crash

Published Tuesday, June 19, 2007

CHEVERLY, Md. (AP) - Former Pro Bowl linebacker LaVar Arrington was hospitalized yesterday with serious but not life-threatening injuries after his motorcycle crashed on a highway ramp.

Arrington lost control and hit a guardrail, Maryland State Police Sgt. Russell Newell said. He said police did not know how fast Arrington was traveling.

Arrington, who turns 29 tomorrow, was wearing a helmet and alcohol was not involved in the accident, Newell said. Arrington was issued two citations - one for operating the motorcycle without a proper license and the other for the crash itself.

Arrington’s attorney, Rosalyn Pugh, said the former Redskins and Giants player had "a few broken bones, which you might expect from a motorcycle accident." She said he had not had surgery.

Pugh said Arrington was expected to remain at Prince George’s Hospital Center overnight and his condition would be reevaluated in the morning. Arrington’s mother, father and wife were at his bedside, she said.

"I’ve spoken with his wife and she says he’s in good spirits," Pugh said.

Washington drafted Arrington No. 2 overall in 2000, and he made three Pro Bowl appearances while with the Redskins. Arrington bought out his contract after the 2005 season.

Redskins Coach Joe Gibbs issued a statement wishing Arrington "a full and speedy recovery."

Arrington then joined the Giants but tore his Achilles’ tendon in October and played only six games last season. New York released him in February as part of a salary cap purge.

While with the Redskins, Arrington became the team’s most popular player and signed an eight-year, $68 million contract extension near the end of the 2003 season.

Gibbs returned to the team with a new coaching staff in 2004, and Arrington’s relationship with Washington began to sour. He hurt his knee early in the 2004 season and played in only four games.

In April 2005, after a second knee operation, Arrington criticized team officials for failing to support him during his injury.

The contract dispute was eventually settled, but Arrington then had a hard time getting on the field. He was used sparingly in the first six games of 2005 and didn’t play at all in a loss against Denver.