Robert Mathis' playing weight was approximately 245 lbs. For a 245-lb. man to blow a 0.05 BAC, he would have to drink approximately three drinks. Think about that for a minute. One drink before dinner. Two drinks with dinner. DUI for dessert.
To add insult to Mathis' injury, he was pulled over in a neighborhood.
So, the facts are as follows:
- Mathis blew a 0.05 BAC
- He was in a neighborhood
- He probably had 3 drinks
- Indianapolis (at least some of its citizens) will now remember Robert Mathis for a DUI, as opposed to all of his on-field success (for which he worked his entire life) and off-field charity (that he did out of the kindness of his heart).
What a shame that Mr. Mathis was arrested on what appears to be a "ticky tack" foul. It seems to me that, as a rule, if someone gets pulled over and has had too much to drink, he should just have his vehicle impounded and be brought home; perhaps inform his insurance company so that his rates go up. Of course, if someone is drinking and driving and hurts someone, I think he should be arrested, etc., but in a situation like the one Robert Mathis was in, wouldn't a hiked insurance rate and an impounded car do the trick? Do we really have to destroy someone's legacy?
This reminds me of another experience, many years ago, that was clearly on a much smaller scale. The Superintendent of the school corporation for whom I taught was arrested on a DUI charge. Does he really need to be remembered for, one time, having one glass of wine too many before driving home, given all the good that he did for that township?
I don't think so. Then again, there's a reason I'm not a prosecutor.
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