Former NFL wide receiver and fifth-overall draft pick Justin Blackmon was arrested early Saturday morning on charges of public intoxication, marking another troubling chapter in the once-promising athlete’s post-NFL life.
Blackmon, who has not played in the league since 2013, was taken into custody by police after reportedly displaying signs of impairment in a public setting. Further details surrounding the arrest have yet to be released, but the incident adds to a growing list of legal troubles that have followed Blackmon since his time in the NFL came to an abrupt end.
This latest arrest is not Blackmon’s first run-in with the law. Before the 2014 season, he was arrested for possession of marijuana, a charge that compounded his already rocky standing with the league. Later, in December 2015, he was arrested for driving under the influence. That DUI charge ultimately led to a one-year jail sentence in 2016, which was suspended on the condition he complete one year of probation.
Once heralded as a generational talent out of Oklahoma State, Blackmon was selected fifth overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2012 NFL Draft. He showed flashes of brilliance during his rookie season, including a breakout game with over 200 receiving yards, but his off-field struggles quickly overshadowed his potential.
Repeated violations of the NFL’s substance abuse policy led to multiple suspensions, and Blackmon was never reinstated to the league. His last appearance in an NFL game was in Week 8 of the 2013 season.
Though years have passed since his playing days, Blackmon’s name continues to resurface—not for his achievements on the field, but for the legal and personal battles off it. With each new headline, fans are left wondering what could have been, had the promising star been able to stay on course.
As of now, there has been no official statement from Blackmon or his representatives regarding the recent arrest.
