Texas sheriff apologizes to Patriots player, defends deputy

[TexasTowelie]

RICHMOND, Texas — A Texas sheriff said Friday he has apologized to New England Patriots player Elandon Roberts for the actions of a deputy who referred to the linebacker’s race and size during a March traffic stop but also defended the deputy’s comment and the stop.

Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls said during a news conference that he spoke with Roberts and his attorney and said the deputy should not have taken so long with the March 10 traffic stop.

Roberts was stopped as he pulled into the driveway of his Houston-area home and Nehls also said Deputy Adam Watkins was wrong to order Roberts’ wife back inside the home when she saw flashing lights and stepped outside.

“The way he interacted with his wife, I didn’t appreciate the tone,” Nehls said of his deputy.

Watkins, who is white, ultimately was issued a verbal reprimand for how he conducted the stop, according to sheriff’s Capt. Steve Holtz.

https://www.journaltribune.com/articles/sports/texas-sheriff-apologizes-to-patriots-player-defends-deputy/
(Biddeford Journal Tribune)


(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer,)
New England Patriots’ Elandon Roberts (52) rides a duck boat during the Patriots parade through downtown Boston to celebrate their win over the Los Angeles Rams in NFL Super Bowl 53. Roberts is condemning his treatment by a Texas sheriff’s deputy who referred to him as a “big black man” during a March traffic stop.

[LisaM]

1. The guy was driving almost 60 mph in a neighborhood.

I'm finding it hard to drum up sympathy for him. That's selfish and dangerous. What if a child or elderly person had stepped out into the street? What if someone was trying to cross a side street on a bike? A car going that fast would seem as if it was coming out of nowhere.

[virgogal]

2. Another spoiled young millionaire athlete.and they come in all colors.

[LisaM]

3. It doesn't say the car make, but it was likely an SUV or truck.

Someone could have gotten seriously messed up. He ought to apologize to his neighbors for being so reckless with their safety. Sorry, speeding is one of my per peeves, especially on surface streets.