The following article was written by Cyle Kiger.
Aqib Talib, Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback, is already awaiting trial for a felony gun charge. Commissioner Roger Goodell did not issue a punishment for the felony gun charge. However, repercussions from that incident will likely come after his court hearing. To make matters worse, the problem child of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has threatened a woman after a traffic accident.
Riddled with incidents throughout his young career, Talib has tallied at least four run-ins with the law. One of his more infamous decisions was when Talib punched a cab driver; the two parties came to an agreement of a cash settlement.
In his most recent altercation, Talib is being sued for $15,000 for saying that he would “put a cap” in the woman involved in the traffic dispute. Betty Atwood, the plaintiff, said the incident spurred from Talib “negligently causing them to collide.” The incident happened in 2010, which makes me wonder why Atwood wouldn’t sue earlier. Regardless, Talib and the Bucs don’t need any more attention than they would’ve otherwise received in the coming weeks.
Every team in almost any league has a problem child. The infamous characters of Manny Ramirez and Carlos Zambrano come to mind when thinking about baseball. Teams have given players like Manny and Zambrano short leashes before they are let go. Along with the Bucs, the Minnesota Vikings are in a sticky legal situation with fellow cornerback Chris Cook.
Cook missed nearly the entire 2011 football season for the Vikings because of an altercation with his, now, ex-girlfriend Chantel Baker. The cornerback is facing a felony domestic assault charge and third-degree assault charge. Cook slapped his girlfriend in an act of self defense against the high heel shoe that struck him in the back of his head moments earlier, as Cook’s attorney portrayed the incident with the 21-year-old.
At the time of the arrest, Baker fabricated a story to put Cook in jail for the night by telling officers the Chris Cook strangled her.
Rodger Goodell will have his hands full with punishing the cornerbacks. Both athletes were beginning to excel in the NFL. But with the recent legal implications for the two, depending on the outcome of the two cases, look for their respective teams to make a move in free-agency or in the upcoming draft for a bit of insurance.