CINCINNATI - Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones was jailed Tuesday on charges he head-butted police and spit on a nurse after being arrested for disorderly conduct in his latest brush with the law. Authorities said he was so combative that he had to be placed in a restraint chair.
A lawyer representing Jones at his initial court appearance told a judge he "vehemently denies" the allegations against him. The Hamilton County judge set bond at $37,500 for Jones and ordered that he submit to a blood test.
The Hamilton County sheriff's office said Jones would remain jailed until the blood test can be performed Wednesday morning. Sheriff Jim Neil said Jones was "disorderly and combative" throughout his booking just after midnight Tuesday and had to be put in restraints.
"Whether someone is a professional athlete, a blue collar worker or homeless, our staff will treat them with respect and we expect the same," Neil said in a statement. "Regardless of who they are, if they endanger my deputies, our medical staff or themselves, we will take action."
Court records show Jones, who has a history of trouble with the law during his NFL career, is accused of pushing and poking a man in the eye, then struggling with Cincinnati police officers by head-butting, kicking and refusing to get into the police car. He then spit on a nurse's hand while being booked into the jail, police said.
The spitting, following his arrest on misdemeanor charges of assault, disorderly conduct and obstructing official business, resulted in a felony count of harassment with a bodily substance, authorities said.
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A prosecutor said the altercation began when Jones started pounding on doors at the Millennium Hotel, near the Bengals' stadium in downtown Cincinnati. He then pushed and poked a security guard, authorities said.
Public defender Lauren Staley said he "vehemently denies" that he assaulted anyone and will hire an attorney to contest the charges.
She said Jones, who stood next to her in court nodding in agreement, has witnesses for his defense and had waited for police to arrive to explain what happened.
Browns: Owner apologizes to ticket holders
CLEVELAND - Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam have apologized to the team's season-ticket holders following a 1-15 season.
The team shared a letter that the Haslams sent to fans following the worst season since the Browns joined the NFL in 1950.
The couple thanked Cleveland fans for their support during a season that "has been a painful part of our building process. You deserve the best, and you certainly deserve better than a 1-15 team. We are sorry that our results have not been better."
The Browns lost their first 14 games before beating San Diego on Dec. 24. Cleveland ended the season with an overtime loss at Pittsburgh. Jimmy Haslam met with reporters following the game and while calling the season "unacceptable" said he would not make any coaching or front-office changes.
In the letter, the Haslams again offered their support to coach Hue Jackson, vice president of football operations Sashi Brown and strategy director Paul DePodesta. Cleveland's front office has been together for less than a year.
The Browns are 19-54 since the Haslams took ownership from Randy Lerner in 2012. They've also fired three coaches and three general managers.
