Bengals tackle arrested at airport

Bengals tackle Andre Smith was arrested in Atlanta Thursday evening. (Credit: AP Photo) Well, it didn’t take very long for the first Cincinnati Bengals offseason arrest. PJ O’Keefe of WCPO in Cincinnati reported that Bengals right tackle Andre Smith was arrested in an Atlanta airport for trying to take a handgun through security. Smith was trying to board a plane at Atlanta’s Hartsfield Jackson Airport when security discovered a .380 caliber handgun in Smith’s possession. The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Joe Reedy reports that Smith didn’t know that the handgun was in his possession when he was going through airport security. Bengals offensive tackle Andre Smith was arrested on Thursday night at Hartsfield International Airport for being in possession of a handgun as he went through security. According to multiple parties familiar with the case, Smith did not have knowledge that there was a handgun in his belongings. Smith was released on Friday morning and issued a $3,000 bond. Smith’s agent, Ben Dogra, told The Enquirer Friday afternoon that they have retained an attorney in the Atlanta area and that they will go through legal process. Dogra said he is hopeful it will be resolved in a timely manner. Smith has been an excellent performer for the Bengals in the past two years. Drafted sixth overall in 2009, Smith got off to a bit of a rocky start with the Bengals, holding out during an impasse in negotiating his rookie contract and suffering foot injuries in each of his first two seasons in the league. In 2011, Smith broke out as the Bengals’ starting right tackle, and the run blocking prowess that amazed teams during the draft process was finally on full display in the NFL. Smith is a free agent this offseason, as his 4 year, $21 million rookie contract has expired. He has made a lot of progress over the last two years, and the Bengals will probably end up offering Smith an extension. However, this arrest might make the negotiations a little bit more complicated for Smith. Follow us on Twitter – @DownandDistance Down and Distance Columnist Joe Ray – @jpray_SK The post Bengals’ Andre Smith arrested in Atlanta airport appeared first on DOWN & DISTANCE.

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