Photo courtesy Grapevine Police Department
Mugshot of Cowboys defensive tackle Jay Ratliff.
MOBILE, Ala. -- Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Jay Ratliff was arrested and
charged with driving while intoxicated after crashing his pickup truck into an
18-wheeler early Tuesday morning in Grapevine, Texas.
Ratliff was not injured in the accident and was released from jail after
posting a $500 bond.
Grapevine senior police officer Sam Shemwell told USA TODAY Sports that
Ratliff first hit the 18-wheeler and then a barricade. The driver of the
18-wheeler was not injured.
Shemwell said Ratliff failed a field sobriety test administered by officers
after the accident.
Ratliff's arrest comes less than two months after Cowboys defensive lineman
Josh Brent was arrested after an accident that killed teammate Jerry Brown.
Brent has been charged with DUI manslaughter.
Back in December, a week after Brown's death, Cowboys owner Jerry
Jones explained to USA TODAY Sports what service the team offers players to
avoiding driving under the influence.
"We have two limo services on stand-by and a full-time staff person on call
24 hours/seven days a week to pick up players," Jones said. "That person has
been called seven times this year."
The team services Jones described go beyond what's provided to NFL players by
the league and the NFL Players Association.
Ratliff, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, was limited to just six games this
season because of a high-ankle sprain and a sports hernia that eventually ended
his season. Ratliff's replacement was Brent until Brent's arrest forced the team
to plug in Sean Lissemore.
Lindsay H. Jones, USA TODAY Sports