The Virginian-Pilot
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VIRGINIA BEACH
Plans for the city's big bash for Bruce Smith are on hold following the pro football Hall of Famer's third drunken driving charge, Mayor Will Sessoms said.
Sessoms said he will ask Smith whether he still wants a celebration.
Several City Council members said they are uncertain whether the city should sponsor a celebration honoring Smith and his election to the Hall of Fame. Smith, who played with the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins, was arrested and charged with drunken driving last month. He will be officially inducted into the hall in August.
"I personally want to do something," said Councilman Ron Villanueva. "He means something to a lot of people. He needs to work on his personal issues.... Him as a sports hero, he's tremendous."
Villanueva and Councilman John Uhrin have been planning the event since February but have struggled to find a date that would work for everybody.
Beach officials have talked about holding a community pep rally for Smith at the Virginia Beach Convention Center; getting officials in Norfolk, where Smith grew up, involved; and even coordinating the event with a gala proposed by Operation Smile.
The city held a rally in April 2008 for wide receiver and Beach native Plaxico Burress after the New York Giants won the Super Bowl. Seven months later, Burress shot himself in the leg at a nightclub and was suspended and released by the Giants.
Councilwoman Rosemary Wilson said the city should reconsider the plans for Smith but did not say they should be canceled.
"Mr. Smith has done a lot of positive things for the community in general," said Councilman Jim Wood, a former police officer who worked on the city's drunken driving task force. "I am extremely troubled by his recent arrest.... If I were to vote on it today, I don't know how I'd vote."
Smith's attorney, Lawrence Cardon, said the city should continue with the festivities.
"He hasn't been found guilty of anything," Cardon said.
The first time Smith was accused of drunken driving, in 1997, the charges were dismissed. In the second instance in 2003, Smith was acquitted. He is scheduled to appear in court on June 18. Smith has appeared at public events since his arrest. Last week, Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk retired his jersey. In his speech to students, Smith did not bring up the drunken driving charge.
Villanueva said the city should find a way to honor Smith, even if it's a low-key event.
Staff writer Tom Robinson contributed to this report.
Deirdre Fernandes, (757) 222-5121, deirdre.fernandes@pilotonline.com
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From kb...
"He was caught driving drunk 3 times. So he is quilty of driving drunk 3 times whether he was convicted or not."
Ummm, how so? How is he guilty if the courts didn't find him so, after their proceedings? As far as the courts are concerned, he was not guilty. That might not jibe with your hopes, but it is reality.
"He most likely got the cases dismissed on some trivial technicality, or because of his fame."
Can you prove that? Were you ever part of the proceedings, or took part as an observer? And regardless, he was found not guilty. Actually, one time they were dismissed, the other time he was acquitted. But he walked...
I'm with anyone who wants to rid the streets of dangerous drivers, drunk or sober. But the court/justice system is what it is, and he has been found innocent of DUI twice now. Will the third time be the charm? Who knows. But what if he's found not guilty yet again? Should he pay a price if that happens?
repeat offenders
Repeat offenders should have their rights to the hall of fame revoked ! These pro sports players are all alike, They all think they are above the laws because people put them on these tall pedestals. I don't care what you do for a living or how great you are at it, if you can't abide by the same rules every other humane being is held to you deserve nothing !!
757>virginia
757>virginia tech>nfl>court/jail. seems to be a trend....
ec43694
ec43694's post stopped me dead - it's a much more eloquent version of my own thoughts on this. And if he wants to do something good, this would be an excellent event at which to start.
I met him a couple of times and found him to be a gracious and humble man (although I'm sure he wouldn't know me from Adam). He certainly goofed and I imagine he'd be the first to admit it.
But let's not lose sight that we're talking about celebrating his football career. A career which carried him from Norfolk to Tech to NFL legend, downright cult icon throughout Western New York, and soon, the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Those are noteworthy accomplishments and deserve to celebrated.
Fair enough
Then let those that want to celebrate him do so at their own expense, not the tax payers...
innocent until proven guilty
Let's not forget we live in the USA, innocent until proven guilty. I believe he was drinking just like I believe OJ killed Nicole Simpson but until convicted, he is presummed innocent. By the way people can be arrested without a BAC being done by simply refusing to take a field sobriety test, this does not mean someone has been drinking.
Now back to the original story, give him a plaque or community service award for what he has done for the city. We need to be fiscaly responsible without even considering the DUI. Agian, get help Mr. Smith, you can do your community service at MADD, they would love to have a former football star preach the benefits of staying sober to young kids. When given a lemon, make lemonade!!!
cgergskins
You're wrong. I MAY have a drink or two, but it's at home. If I go out, I make sure someone else is driving that hasn't had a drink, AT ALL.
It's called, "COMMON SENSE" or "RESPONSIBILITY FOR ONE'S ACTIONS".
VA. BEACH NEEDS TO DO LIKE nc WAS DOING WHEN I WAS GROWING UP.
1st offense, fine, loss of license for 1 year.
2nd offense, bigger fine plus jail time plus longer loss of license.
I think on the third offense, loss of license was permanent.
Hes guilty
He was caught driving drunk 3 times. So he is quilty of driving drunk 3 times whether he was convicted or not. He most likely got the cases dismissed on some trivial technicality, or because of his fame. Leave it up to the scum bag defense attorneys to let guilty people walk. If it had been one time, then I dont think it would be such a big deal and I say go one with the party. But 3 times is a little excessive. Come on Mothers Against Drunk Driving, lets get on the band wagon here and be heard.
No convictions
The 80's were famous for having a DUI reduced to reckless driving or another offense less serious seen this in Va.Beach a couple of times. Maybe that is why there are no convictions on his record, I have not reviewed his record so can't state one way or the other.
But, I have found that the police just don't charge you with DUI without failing a field sobriety test....
booker t
I think its awesome that booker t had no problem celebrating him at a pep rally with all the kids present but vb wants to go the "moral" route. he is good enough for nps but not for the city of vb. he got CAUGHT making a mistake that most of the people on this board have made but never been caught. having two drinks with dinner and getting in your car and driving home within an hour is drunk driving people. stop telling him how to live his life. bruce you drink it up all you want but stay away from driving. hire a car service to take you around.