WR Santonio Holmes (Super Bowl XLIII MVP)

[osugrad21]

Toledo Blade

6/22

Holmes off to turbulent start as pro

Santonio Holmes appears to be auditioning for the role of Public Enemy No. 1.
If he doesn't significantly straighten up his act soon, he has a better chance of wearing an orange-colored jail jumpsuit with the No. 98765-410 stitched on the back this season than he does of slipping on his No. 10 black and gold Pittsburgh Steelers jersey. Holmes' early line in the NFL isn't very flattering: 2 arrests, 0 receptions.

The former Ohio State receiver has had two run-ins with the law since the Super Bowl champion Steelers traded up seven spots to take him in the first round of the draft April 29. Holmes, 22, was charged Monday with two misdemeanors - assault and domestic violence - after an incident involving the mother of one of his three children. According to Columbus police, who responded to two 911 calls, Holmes choked and bruised LaShae Boone, threw her to the floor, grabbed her arms and slammed her into a door. Holmes, wearing prison khakis and handcuffs, pleaded not guilty to all three charges - he also was cited for an outstanding warrant for a minor traffic accident in October, 2005 - and was released. He faces a pretrial hearing July 7. Holmes' mother, Patricia Brown, told the Columbus Dispatch that Santonio's latest incident involves "just another nosy neighbor. It will straighten itself out." Remember, Brown also came to her son's defense when he was arrested on a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge in South Beach over the Memorial Day weekend. She initially contended that it was a case of mistaken identity, saying Santonio was in Columbus, not his home state of Florida. But Miami Beach police spokesman Bobby Hernandez confirmed it was indeed Holmes who disrupted traffic and was verbally abusive to a police officer at 3:30 a.m. on May 27. Holmes was released from jail and did not have to post bail after signing a promissory note to appear in court July 12. You wonder if Santonio's mom will call Steelers coach Bill Cowher the first time her son screws up in Pittsburgh. At the pace Holmes is misbehaving, it won't be long before that happens. While at Ohio State, Santonio was involved in another incident that calls his character into question. The week of the Michigan game in 2003, Holmes and Troy Smith were arrested on disorderly conduct charges following a 3 a.m. fight with five women in a parking lot on campus. We still don't know who won. Although Smith was convicted, the charge against Holmes was later dropped when a prosecution witness couldn't identify him. If Holmes isn't careful, he'll catch up to Chris Henry, the Cincinnati Bengals' blotter boy receiver who has been cited for providing alcohol to three underage girls, speeding and drunken driving, carrying a concealed weapon, and marijuana possession - all in the last seven months. Holmes' latest arrest came exactly a week after Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident while riding helmetless. Holmes, selected 25th overall, has not yet signed a contract. However, he is subject to the NFL's personal conduct policy and could face mandatory counseling or punishment. As it stands, the troubled Holmes will need a lucrative deal and a hefty signing bonus just to pay all of his legal fees, and to keep up on his child support payments.

[AJHawkfan]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_458906.html

Holmes could be in trouble with NFL


By Mike Prisuta
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, June 21, 2006

No. 1 draft pick Santonio Holmes may be in violation of NFL policy as well as the laws of Ohio and Florida, which could impact the outset of his career with the Steelers, including his impending contract negotiations with the team.

Holmes' arrest early Monday morning in Columbus, Ohio, demands a league review, which could result in a disciplinary response under the NFL's personal conduct policy.

Such discipline could range from "clinical evaluation" to "suspension."

"It's a zero-tolerance policy," Pittsburgh-based agent Ralph Cindrich said Tuesday.

According to the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy, as it's presented on NFLmedia.com, "engaging in violent and/or criminal activity is unacceptable."

Unsigned rookies such as Holmes are considered covered by the policy once they're drafted.

Under the policy, it is considered conduct detrimental for "covered persons to engage in (or to aid, abet or conspire to engage in or to incite) violent and/or criminal activity. Examples of such prohibited conduct include, without limitation: any crime involving the use or threat of physical violence to a person or persons."

Covered persons charged with prohibited conduct "will be required to undergo a clinical evaluation and, if appropriate, additional counseling or treatment as directed. Failure to comply with evaluation and counseling obligations (including being arrested for or charged with additional criminal activity during the evaluation and counseling period) shall itself be conduct detrimental to the National Football League and shall be punishable by fine or suspension at the discretion of the commissioner."

Covered persons "convicted of or admitting to a criminal violation (including a plea to a lesser included offense; a plea of nolo contendere or no contest; or the acceptance of a diversionary program, deferred adjudication, disposition of supervision, or similar arrangement) will be subject to discipline as determined by the commissioner."

Holmes, a former Ohio State wide receiver, was arraigned Monday on charges of domestic violence by assault and assault, both first-degree misdemeanors, as well as an outstanding charge for speeding from a traffic accident on Oct. 18, 2005.

The domestic violence by assault and assault charges are punishable by a maximum of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Holmes pleaded not guilty on all three charges.

Holmes was released on his own recognizance Monday afternoon from the Franklin County (Ohio) jail and reported to the Steelers' South Side practice facility yesterday morning. He was put through his paces on the field by wide receivers coach Bruce Arians, spent some time in the weight room with conditioning coach Chet Fuhrman and met with director of football operations Kevin Colbert.

Holmes did not speak with reporters, but the Steelers issued the following statement from him:

"I understand that being a Pittsburgh Steeler carries along with it the demands for responsible behavior off the field. I want to apologize for the negative attention that my arrest on Monday has brought upon the Pittsburgh Steelers organization, especially in light of my previous arrest in May."

Holmes was arrested for disorderly conduct over the Memorial Day weekend in Miami Beach, a charge a Miami Beach police spokesman dismissed as "nothing."

Holmes has a pre-trial hearing scheduled for July 7 in Ohio and another impending court date July 12 in Florida.

His agent, Joel Segal, declined comment yesterday. Steelers management also declined comment.

Cindrich anticipates that Holmes' troubles with the law will affect his upcoming contract negotiations with the Steelers.

"I don't think there's any question that any clause for protection they can get in there, they'll get in there," Cindrich said. "Almost assuredly, the club is going to force as much of a good conduct policy (into the contract) as possible.

"It's highly unlikely he'll receive a signing bonus in the same manner and fashion as other draft choices (with the majority being paid up front). It'll likely be spread out more (over several years) and contain a few more conditions."

The severity of any discipline handed out by the NFL would depend upon how violent it estimates Holmes to have been, Cindrich said.

Holmes' attorney, Sam Shamansky, wouldn't rule out the Ohio misdemeanor charges being dropped eventually.

"It's always possible," Shamansky said. "There's no sort of protocol on these things. Each case is unique, but as domestic violence charges go, they're all serious."

Cindrich said the league wouldn't necessarily wait for a conviction before administering its penalty.

Calls to the NFL yesterday were not returned.

"It may be a reprimand, may be a warning," Cindrich said. "If it got into a situation where there are just gruesome facts, I would see it happening right away."

Mike Prisuta can be reached at mprisuta@tribweb.com.

[osu_edu]

what a shame....what a shame!! as a buckeye fan, selfishly, i hope he will come through this legal issues unscathed. however, i hope he will be straightened up from these experiences and representing the university with a sense of pride and responsibility.




osu.edu ROCKS!!!

[osugrad21]

Link

Counselor saw Holmes' trouble coming

"Add it up -- no money, poor family background, three kids already -- something's going to happen."

Wednesday, June 28, 2006
By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


Darrell Sapp, Post-Gazette Steelers first-round draft pick Santonio Holmes was arrested twice in a span of 25 days.

By Gerry Dulac
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette When the Steelers picked him with the 25th overall selection in the NFL draft, Santonio Holmes was viewed as something more than just a replacement for Antwaan Randle El. He was a talented, big-play receiver from Ohio State who also was an outstanding punt returner, a player of such skill that the Steelers traded up seven spots in the draft to select him. By all accounts, according to coaches and scouts, Holmes was a nice, likeable person who had helped his single-parent mother raise her four children in the tough, crime-infested neighborhood of Belle Glade, Fla., just south of West Palm Beach. When he reported to the team's minicamp a week later, Steelers coaches were impressed with his personality as much as with his physical skills.
Almost nobody could foresee what would transpire after that.
In a span of 25 days, Holmes, 22, was arrested in two cities, the most recent -- and more serious -- on a charge of domestic violence and assault against the mother of one of his three children. That does not include an arrest in November 2003, when he was charged with disorderly conduct in connection with an altercation outside an Ohio State campus dormitory in which four women reported being assaulted.
Not only has his off-field behavior raised questions about his character, but it also could result in punishment and possible suspension by the NFL for violation of its personal-conduct policy, even though Holmes has not signed a contract with the Steelers.
But at least one former NFL executive who deals with college football players said he thought Holmes was a problem "ready to explode."
Ken Herock, a former pro personnel director with the Oakland Raiders, Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers, has a service called "Pro Prep" in which he counsels and prepares college players on how to conduct themselves in interviews for the NFL draft. As part of the process, Herock teaches players who have legal or behavioral problems what to say in interviews with NFL coaches and general managers.
Herock, a Munhall native, worked with Holmes in January.
Two years ago, he helped Ben Roethlisberger prep for the NFL draft.
"I had an impression of the kid, where he was from, such a tough area, but soon as he told me he had three kids I knew it was going to be a problem," Herock said. "He was dirt poor, all of a sudden he's got a little money, you get a little rambunctious.
"But I would have never thought it would happen now. I thought he might explode in year two or three. Add it up -- no money, poor family background, three kids already -- something's going to happen."

An unmarried father of three

Holmes has two sons -- Santonio III, 4, and Nicori, 25 months -- who live with his mother, Patricia Brown, in Belle Glade. He also has a daughter, Shaniya, 4 months, with another woman, Lashae Boone, who lives in Columbus, Ohio. Holmes has never been married.
Some draft experts thought his status as an unmarried father of three could hurt Holmes' position in the draft. But he ended up being the first wide receiver selected when the Steelers traded from No. 32 to No. 25 to get him.
"Does he take his kids on the field with him?" Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith said to the Akron Beacon Journal in March, after observing a Holmes workout at Ohio State. "Very seldom do guys go into that once they're on the football field. Things like that happen. We're looking at his character on the field. We look at character when they break the law, but that's not breaking any laws. That's a part of society."
It was Boone who called police, June 19, and alleged in an affidavit Holmes was "choking [her], throwing her to the ground ... and slamming her into a door," leading to his arrest on charges of domestic violence and assault. Both charges are first-degree misdemeanors.
Holmes pleaded not guilty and was released the following day on a $3,500 recognizance bond. A pretrial hearing has been scheduled July 7 before Judge Michael Brandt in Columbus.
At the time of his arrest, Holmes also was issued a traffic order for failing to pay a fine for an accident Oct. 19, 2005. Holmes rear-ended another vehicle on Interstate 70, west of Columbus, according to Mike Woods, a public information officer for the Columbus Police. Holmes was issued a citation for Assured Clear Distance Ahead, a misdemeanor, and failed to pay the fine by an appointed date.
"I'm surprised what's happening to him now," Herock said. "It was something I thought might occur later. But I thought something will happen, cause him to explode, because I know the background. Not something serious, maybe a fight in a bar or something, maybe a domestic issue, but something was going to happen."
The domestic violence charge came less than a month after Holmes was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct May 27 in the South Beach section of Miami Beach, Fla.
According to a police report, Holmes was observed walking in the middle of the road on Collins Avenue, a trendy South Beach street of outdoor bars and restaurants. When traffic became disrupted, a police officer told Holmes to "get out of the street." According to the report, Holmes "said several offensive words" to the police officer and was arrested.
Holmes was released without bail on a promissory note and promised to return for a later hearing. A hearing is scheduled July 12 before Judge Darrin Gayles in Miami Beach courthouse, five days after his hearing in Columbus.
That, though, wasn't the first time Holmes had been arrested.

Can problem be solved?

Three years ago, Holmes and Ohio State teammate Troy Smith were charged with disorderly conduct after a Nov. 16, 2003, altercation outside a campus dormitory involving four Buckeyes players and four female students -- an incident in which the university said the players were acting as peacemakers. The attorney for the female students said one woman's wrist was broken, and another woman was "choked unconscious" in the altercation.
Holmes was held out of the opening series in the following game against Michigan as punishment and pleaded not guilty to the charge in January 2004. But the charge was dismissed later when a prosecution witness could not identify him.
Ohio State coach Jim Tressel declined to be interviewed for the story.
Herock said he is able to recognize potential problems in players because he deals with so many who have had behavioral or legal problems. When he interviews them, Herock requires the player to be totally honest and "confess their sins" so he is able to help prepare their answers when NFL coaches and general managers ask them about their problems.
Herock said Holmes was "very pleasant ... a bright kid, a sharp kid." He said he thinks Holmes won't have any more off-field problems.
"He's smart enough to know. He's going to change. He's smart enough to realize, 'This is going to kill me. I got to stop.' I think he will mature. This will stop. I don't think it will be a habitual thing."
The day after he was released from jail in Columbus, Holmes was at the Steelers' office on the South Side for a scheduled three-day workout with receivers coach Bruce Arians. At the time, Holmes released a statement, apologizing for his recent behavior.
"I understand that being a Pittsburgh Steeler carries along with it the demands for responsible behavior off the field," Holmes said. "I want to apologize for the negative attention that my arrest on Monday has brought the Pittsburgh Steelers organization, especially in light of my previous arrest in May."
Nonetheless, Holmes could receive some form of punishment from the NFL, even a suspension.
Even though he hasn't signed a contract, Holmes is subject to the league's personal-conduct policy because the code applies to "all rookie players once they are selected in the NFL college draft." Among the prohibited conduct cited in the policy is "any crime involving the use of threat or physical violence to a person or persons." If a player is convicted of or admits to a second criminal violation, he can be "suspended without pay or banished for a period of time" determined by commissioner Paul Tagliabue.
Players who are arrested or charged with conduct prohibited by the policy are required to have a clinical evaluation and, if appropriate, additional counseling.
"He's a great all-around kid," said Willie Bueno, Holmes' former coach at Glades Central High School. "He did all the things asked of a player. Even when he came out [for football] as a freshman, he was a leader. He was committed he was going to use [football] to get to school."

[buckeyefool]

I would think Mr. Herlock, would be hurting his business by coming out and discussion what he feels about any problems a former client may have had.

As for this whole thing it was hilarious being in Pittsburgh this past weekend and reading teh local papers, as people wrote in saying the steelers needed to set an example and not sign Holmes, because " he doesn't represent what steeler nation is" Thats right he doesn't represent steeler fans....I mean how many death threats has he sent to a lady that was driving the car that hit Big Ben?

[AJHawkfan]

Originally Posted by buckeyefool

I would think Mr. Herlock, would be hurting his business by coming out and discussion what he feels about any problems a former client may have had.

As for this whole thing it was hilarious being in Pittsburgh this past weekend and reading teh local papers, as people wrote in saying the steelers needed to set an example and not sign Holmes, because " he doesn't represent what steeler nation is" Thats right he doesn't represent steeler fans....I mean how many death threats has he sent to a lady that was driving the car that hit Big Ben?

Very good points on both accounts.

[tibor75]

Originally Posted by buckeyefool

I would think Mr. Herlock, would be hurting his business by coming out and discussion what he feels about any problems a former client may have had.

As for this whole thing it was hilarious being in Pittsburgh this past weekend and reading teh local papers, as people wrote in saying the steelers needed to set an example and not sign Holmes, because " he doesn't represent what steeler nation is" Thats right he doesn't represent steeler fans....I mean how many death threats has he sent to a lady that was driving the car that hit Big Ben?

Listening to some of the local idiots on talk shows around here there is more than a little racism at play when these fans call in with let's get rid him shtick.

[HangOnSloopy]

I have talked to Santonio a few times, and every time i talked to him he was the nicest guy and he was very respectful. I know, just like you guys know, that he really is a good kid so lets all hope he gets is life and legal problems under control and we'll be here to support him.

[TheStoicPaisano]

I had an impression of the kid, where he was from, such a tough area, but soon as he told me he had three kids I knew it was going to be a problem," Herock said. "He was dirt poor, all of a sudden he's got a little money, you get a little rambunctious.
"But I would have never thought it would happen now. I thought he might explode in year two or three. Add it up -- no money, poor family background, three kids already -- something's going to happen."

What an asshole. He probably went on to call him an animal, a big, thick-lipped beast.

[BB73]

The article should hace included a picture of Ken Herock. This might be him:

[Steve19]

Well, actually, I think this is him...


http://images.packers.com/images/chat/000329herockchat.jpeg

but I wondered if he ever dressed like this while pimping his services...


http://www.backwardglances.com/images/pimp%20suit.jpg

[Buckin' A]

Mr Herlock believes that Santanio's "outbursts" may be due to having 3 children so young. I personally hold Golferdow responsible for sharing with him his philosophy on condom use...or lack thereof.....

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

DDN

6/29/06

Does having three kids make you a bad guy?

By Kyle Nagel | Wednesday, June 28, 2006, 08:49 PM

Since Santonio Holmes was drafted in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, he has faced some troubles with the law.

Troubles like two arrests in two states for two different things in 25 days.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has a story today detailing Holmes’ run-ins with the law. In it, reporter Gerry Dulac quotes Ken Herock, a former NFL pro personnel director who helps players with theirr conduct during the draft process.

Herock says he saw problems on the horizon with Holmes. Here’s what he told the Post-Gazette:

“I had an impression of the kid, where he was from, such a tough area, but soon as he told me he had three kids I knew it was going to be a problem. He was dirt poor, all of a sudden he’s got a little money, you get a little rambunctious.

“But I would have never thought it would happen now. I thought he might explode in year two or three. Add it up — no money, poor family background, three kids already — something’s going to happen.”

OK, I understand that have three kids with two different women and no wife doesn’t look good, but it seems to be the first thing people point to in judging his character. “Well, look at the guy, he has three kids.”

Is it a signal Holmes is a bad guy? I don’t know. But, it certainly gives his critics ammo.

Meanwhile, to take care of those kids, Holmes needs money. To earn money, he needs to play football. To play football, he needs to stay out of trouble.

Which I hope he does, because he could be very fun to watch.

[OregonBuckeye]

Originally Posted by osugrad21

Herock, a Munhall native, worked with Holmes in January.
Two years ago, he helped Ben Roethlisberger prep for the NFL draft.
"I had an impression of the kid, where he was from, such a tough area, but soon as he told me he had three kids I knew it was going to be a problem," Herock said. "He was dirt poor, all of a sudden he's got a little money, you get a little rambunctious.
"But I would have never thought it would happen now. I thought he might explode in year two or three. Add it up -- no money, poor family background, three kids already -- something's going to happen."

[censored] this asshole!

[osubuckeyefn777]

I've been looking all over trying to find the address to send a letter in the mail to Santonio requesting an autograph on a rookie card... and to thank him for his huge part in defeating U of M the last many years...

Does anyone know what address, whether home, or with the steelers I could write to to get the letter to holmes himself?