New York Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson will miss the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals after receiving a one-game suspension for violation of the league’s personal conduct policy.
Sheldon Richardson suspended for Week 1 vs. Bengals
Richardson received a one-game suspension for his street racing incident.
Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Richardson, 25, pleaded guilty in January to resisting arrest stemming from a dangerous road race incident last July. He was initially arrested last summer in Missouri after being clocked driving at speeds up to 143 mph while racing another car and attempting to evade cops. Police also reportedly smelled marijuana and found a couple of loaded guns under the floor mats when they finally pulled him over.
Richardson was able to avoid jail time after agreeing to the guilty plea earlier this year. Instead, he was given two years of probation and will also have to perform community service, plus pay fines related to the traffic violations. Although he settled the case in court, Richardson was still subject to further NFL discipline for violating the personal conduct policy.
This is not the first time that Richardson has run into trouble with the league. He was suspended for the first four games of last season for violating the substance abuse policy.
The former first-round pick and 2013 Defensive Rookie of the Year, Richardson is one of the most talented young lineman in the NFL. In 2014, he was named to the Pro Bowl and was ranked by Pro Football Focus as the second-best interior defender in the league.
Last year, Richardson moved outside to an edge rusher position and anchored a Jets defensive line that was among the best in the NFL. He has 16.5 sacks, 178 tackles and four forced fumbles in three seasons while starting 41 of 43 games played for the Jets.
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