“Jerry Maguire” Busted for Public Drunkenness

Sports agent Leigh Steinberg hit with booze-related charge for a third time

Sports agent Leigh Steinberg, the inspiration for the Tom Cruise character "Jerry Maguire," was picked up last week by Newport Beach police responding to reports of  a man "screaming and attempting to climb a hill."

Steinberg, 59, was taken into custody around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22, Lt. Bill Hartford told the Orange County Register. Steinberg bore a "strong odor" of alcohol and his speech was slurred.

"It appeared that he couldn't care for himself and others" added Lt. Hartford.

Steinberg was then booked on suspicion of public intoxication and set free on his own recognizance pending a court hearing scheduled for Dec. 8.

Steinberg, whose roster of clients include Ben Roethlisberger, Ricky Williams, Steve Young, Troy Aikman and Oscar de la Hoya, has battled alcohol problems in the past. In April 2007, he was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving after hitting three parked cars on the West Pacific Highway.

"I know that it is not acceptable to get behind the wheel after having consumed any amount of alcohol," Steinberg said at the time, reported the O.C. Register. "I take full responsibility for my behavior and I will take appropriate action to prevent any remotely similar behavior in the future."

In 1997, Steinberg was sentenced to community service following charges of drunk driving in Newport Beach.

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