Bengals Lineman Pleads Innocent
Cincinnati defensive lineman Dan Wilkinson pleaded innocent Thursday to a charge that he punched his girlfriend, who is four months pregnant, in the stomach.
The 6-foot-4, 315-pound lineman, last year’s top pick in the NFL draft, issued a statement asking for people to leave him alone while he tries to resolve the fight with his live-in girlfriend, Shawnda Lamarr, 20.
She was treated and released at Bethesda North Hospital after her fight Wednesday with Wilkinson at his suburban Symmes Township home, Hamilton County sheriff’s officers said.
Officers did not know what the couple had argued about, sheriff’s spokesman Col. Dan Wolfangel said.”What happened last night between the person I love and me is a private matter whose fate is now in the hands of the court,” Wilkinson said.
The Bengals are concerned and will work with Wilkinson to get him counseling, general manager Mike Brown said.
“We may not yet know all the details of this specific incident, and until we do it is best not to prejudge the matter. We do know enough to have real concerns,” Brown said. Wilkinson was at practice on Thursday.
Wilkinson’s manager, Jimmy Gould, read the statement after the former Ohio State star pleaded innocent in Hamilton County Municipal Court to one charge of domestic violence.
Wilkinson, 22, was arrested at his home shortly before 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. He was jailed in the Hamilton County Justice Center and then released without bond about 10 p.m.
Municipal Judge Jack Rosen ordered Wilkinson on Thursday to stay away from his girlfriend.
People charged with domestic violence in Ohio are required to personally appear before a judge. Wilkinson’s lawyer, Hal Arenstein, entered the plea of innocent.
The misdemeanor charge of domestic violence alleges the victim was caused serious physical harm. Conviction could result n a six-month jail term and $1,000 fine.
“To my many fans and friends, especially the young friends of Big Daddy, I ask for your support at this difficult time,” Wilkinson’s statement said.
Oilers will stay throught ‘97
The Houston Oilers are promising to fulfill their lease and play at the Astrodome through the 1997 season. What happens after that is unknown.
The team settled its lawsuit against the city of Houston, Harris County and Astrodome USA.
The Oilers agreed to play all regular-season and postseason home games in the county-owned arena through the end of the 1997 season when their 10-year lease expires. In return, the other parties promised not to interfere if the team moves after that season.
Houston is negotiating with Nashville about moving the Oilers there for the 1998 season.
Comings and goings
Defensive end Richard Dent, second on the NFL’s career sack list and the MVP of the 1986 Super Bowl, agreed to a one-year contract to rejoin the Chicago Bears.
Dent estimates it will take 2-3 weeks to get into shape.
Dent had two sacks in two games for the San Francisco 49ers last year before suffering a torn knee ligament. He had arthroscopic knee surgery in September and total reconstructive knee surgery last spring.
The Oakland Raiders confirmed that starting defensive lineman Nolan Harrison will be out from six to eight weeks because of a disc problem in his back.
Two weeks after joining the Arizona Cardinals, cornerback Ben Smith has left the team. Smith played in a 31-19 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday but has not been seen since.
Tony Boselli, the rookie offensive tackle who missed Jacksonville’s entire preseason and first two games with an injured left knee, has resumed practicing full time and should play Sept. 24 against Green Bay.