Jimmy Graham will not face criminal charges following his August arrest in California for an incident the New Orleans Saints say was sparked by an assault, according to ESPN’s Katherine Terrell .
The former Pro Bowl tight end was arrested on August 19 in Newport Beach, California on suspicion of being under the influence of narcotics and obstructing a police officer, after reportedly exhibiting disorderly conduct. Graham was hospitalized after the arrest and released the next morning.
The Orange County district attorney’s office reportedly dismissed the case because there was insufficient evidence to prove a crime beyond a reasonable doubt.
Graham thanked the Los Angeles Police Department while speaking to reporters Thursday, via ESPN:
“Thank you for [the] LAPD and how quickly everything kind of went down and how helpful they were in the process,” Graham said at the Saints facility on Thursday. “Right now, we’re dealing with everything personally.”
After the arrest, the Saints issued a statement states that Graham’s behavior was caused by a medical episode that the team doctor believed to be a seizure:
“New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham experienced a medical episode the night before, which resulted in him being confused. He was taken into custody by local authorities and taken to a local hospital for evaluating what Dr. John Amoss believed to be a possible seizure. and spent the night under medical supervision and testing. Amoss met Graham at the hospital and supervised his care during this time. He was released today morning and with the team as they continue to prepare for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.”
Graham is back in practice. His participation will be limited on Wednesday due to rest, but otherwise, he will appear on the track to play in the team’s season opener against the Tennessee Titans on Sept.
The Saints signed Graham to a one-year contract in July, eight years after the team traded him in a deal to the Seattle Seahawks. Graham sat out all of last season after posting just 167 receiving yards in 15 games for the Chicago Bears in 2021, but made the Saints’ 53-man roster as part of a tight end that also included by Foster Moreau and Juwan Johnson.
