Miles Sanders joins the list of athletes with driving under the influence charges!
The former Eagles star was arrested after authorities caught him in his vehicle intoxicated by alcohol and/or another controlled substance.
While this marks Miles Sanders’ first legal stint, he is not the first NFL star to be arrested for similar offenses. Other ex-Eagles players have also been slammed with DUI’s and even served jail time as a result.
Obtained court records show that Sanders was taken in by officials on suspicion of driving under the influence. The NFL free agent was reportedly arrested on June 8 in Churchill Borough near Pittsburgh.
Court records obtained by PEOPLE show that the athlete who recently played for the Dallas Cowboys and previously for the Philadelphia Eagles was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance and alleged careless driving.
He was initially scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on September 23, but the hearing was continued to October 28 in Allegheny County Court.
Sanders’ attorney, Phil DiLucente, released a brief statement on August 26, saying, “This is a private matter that has not even reached the preliminary hearing stage, and there will be no further comment.”
What Happened At The Scene Of The Athlete’s Arrest?
According to the arresting officers, they found the NFL star “slumped over” in the driver’s seat of his vehicle, which was stopped in the middle of the William Penn Highway. They claimed to notice that his eyes also appeared glossy when he exited the Lexus.
A criminal complaint report obtained by CBS shows that the officers claimed they made several attempts to wake him up, but he appeared to be “in and out of consciousness,” “extremely lethargic,” and could not answer questions.
Sanders’ breath reportedly smelled of alcohol, and he confessed to consuming alcohol earlier in the day. The free agent cooperated with the officials and agreed to standardized field sobriety tests but performed poorly. Police officers say he tested positive for alcohol after taking a portable breath test and was thereafter taken into custody.
What Does This Mean For Miles Sanders’ Career?
Sanders was selected by the Eagles in the second round of the 2019 Draft and played for the team for four seasons. He spent two years with the Carolina Panthers, signed a one-year deal with the Cowboys in March 2025, and is currently a free agent.
The news of this arrest comes at a delicate point in Sanders’ career, as he is currently without a team and the new NFL season kicks off in a few weeks. Marca reports that, because of his status as a free agent, any off-field concerns could complicate his bid to secure another contract, as most NFL teams are finalizing their rosters.
It may be too early to judge the impact of this legal stint on Sanders’ career, as the process is still in its early stages and the athlete has yet to have his day in court to face the allegations. As mentioned earlier, his hearing is scheduled to be held in two months.
The NFL Star Has A Clean Personal And Career Track Record
Sanders had a squeaky-clean record with no prior arrests or public legal issues till this DUI scandal. Throughout his college career at Penn State and his time in the NFL with all three teams he has played for, he maintained a trouble-free off-field reputation.
The footballer had his most productive football year with the Eagles as their running back in 2022. He posted 1,269 yards on 259 carries, making his first 1,000-rushing-yard season. Sanders scored 11 touchdowns in the regular season and played in the Super Bowl.
The 29-year-old also earned his first Pro Bowl nod for his performance and rushed for 148 yards on 35 carries throughout the Eagles’ playoff run. A report from Panthers shows that in his first year with the Eagles, he set three Philadelphia records.
Other Ex-Eagles Players That Have Faced DUI Charges
In March last year, former NFL Eagles player Juqua D. Parker was charged with drunk driving after he crashed his Chevrolet Corvette. The incident reportedly occurred along the 3200 block of West Pine Grove Road at around 1:45 a.m.
Police reports show that Parker’s vehicle had “severe disabling damage,” his airbags were deployed, and eyewitnesses say he attempted to drive away from the scene. As reported by the Centre Daily Times, he admitted to having consumed alcohol at the Champs before heading home.
The officer said the athlete had bloodshot and watery eyes and had a blood alcohol content of 0.160%, which is twice the legal limit. He pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of DUI and was sentenced in November to six months of probation and nine days of community service.
Things were quite different for former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, who was sentenced to 18 days behind bars in a Maricopa County, Arizona facility for driving under the influence in 2015.
Phillymag reported that McNabb was arrested after rear-ending a car at a stoplight. He had more than double the legal intoxication limit in his system. In addition to his time behind bars, McNabb had to serve 72 days of home confinement, complete 30 hours of community service, attend counseling, and pay a $6,342.23 fine.
What consequences will ex-Eagles star Miles Sanders face for this DUI?