Chargers One Of Nine NFL Teams To Utilize Safe Ride Solutions

The Chargers are one of nine NFL teams that offer its players the Safe Ride Solutions program, which is a "members-only, DUI-prevention car service," according to Kristina Davis of the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. The service, which puts "off-duty or retired police officers in the driver's seat ... caters to professional athletes in more than a dozen cities." For an average of $200-300, players who "want to drink but not drive can be shuttled around town for the entire night, or they can merely call for a ride when they are ready to head home." San Diego police detective Gary Lawrence created the program in '06 after former NFLer Steve Foley was shot by a police officer during a drunken-driving altercation. The Chargers became the first NFL team to offer the program to players and staff, and former Chargers FB Lorenzo Neal is a business partner in the venture. Lawrence said of Foley's shooting, "It was one of those 'perfect storm' situations. The day I heard about that, I thought, 'I need to do something.'" The Broncos, Raiders, Jets, Falcons, Cowboys, Titans, Rams and Browns have all signed up for the service, and NFL Senior VP/PR Greg Aiello said, "It's something we encourage clubs to do. It's a very good practice teams should make available to players in some way. It's a resource to help avoid problems." Davis noted under NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's personal-conduct policy, a player can "be docked up to $20,000 in pay for his first DUI arrest" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 6/28).

DEFENSIVE STAND: Vikings DE Jared Allen, who has been arrested twice for drunken driving during his NFL career, will speak at the NFL Rookie Symposium in Carlsbad, California, as part of a panel that "will discuss overcoming adversity." Allen: "It's a way to give back. Hopefully, someone can learn from my mistakes" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 7/1).