DENVER -- Denver Bronco and team captain D.J. Williams was picked up by Denver police Friday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence, Call7 Investigators first reported.
Williams, whose real name is Genos Derwin Williams, was driving a Hummer when he was pulled over at 2:50 a.m. at Broadway and 9th Avenue for not having his headlights on.
Minutes later, Williams, 28, was arrested at the scene, accused of driving drunk, Call7 Investigator Tony Kovaleski said. The case has been turned over to the Denver district attorney's office, for consideration of charges.
Williams stayed at a Denver detox facility for several hours after his arrest and was picked up by his agent and attorney Harvey Steinberg at about 10:30 a.m. Both men offered no comment on the case.
Williams is in his seventh season with the Broncos and is the second highest paid player on the team, making $8.6 million this year, trailing only cornerback Champ Bailey.
This is the second DUI incident for Williams, which makes him subject to potential discipline from the NFL. Williams was previously arrested for a DUI in Douglas County in 2005. He pleaded guilty in that case.
Other NFL players have received multiple game suspensions for multiple DUI arrests.
It's unclear how the linebacker's arrest will impact Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Broncos Head Coach Josh McDaniels said Friday morning that the Broncos will defer to the league policy for Williams’ discipline.
"We're still trying to gather information. I have not spoken to D.J. We're not at the end of this process," McDaniels said at a 10 a.m. news conference.
McDaniels said the team does not monitor players' behavior after-hours. He said the players are all adults.
"It's disappointing no matter who it is. Like I said, the behavior, the fact that we're two days away from a game ... it's very disappointing to me and to my organization. I would be no matter who it was," McDaniels said. "I'm certainly disappointed and do not condone that type of behavior from our players or anybody from within our organization."
McDaniels said he does not know if Williams will practice on Friday.
"This is something that you deal with. Whether it's an injury, or some other thing," McDaniels said. "We're focused on the Chiefs and we're ready to get going."
Williams is scheduled to be arraigned on Dec. 13 on two charges -- driving under the influence and driving at night without headlights. A conviction on a second DUI brings a mandatory 10 days in jail or on home arrest.
A conviction isn't required for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to suspend a player without pay.
Williams said after his 2005 DUI that he realized he needed to get a designated driver whenever he went out partying. The team provides drivers to its players but Williams didn't use one Friday. Williams reportedly attended Thursday night's Denver Nuggets game against the Los Angeles Lakers before his arrest.
The Broncos are currently 2-6.
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