EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 09: Marcus Maye #20 of the New York Jets on the field ahead of a game against the New England Patriots at MetLife Stadium on November 9, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
New York Jets coach Robert Saleh says safety Marcus Maye has the team's support as the star player deals with legal issues including drunken driving charges stemming from a February car crash in Florida.
Saleh said Wednesday he and Maye had “a really good conversation” that was initiated by the safety. He declined to say whether he and the team previously knew — although he implied as much — about the accident and arrest first reported by ESPN on Monday night.
“Obviously, he recognizes he made a mistake and as far as details and all that, I’ll keep it in-house," Saleh said. "But we support Marcus and hopefully he can get through this.”
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Broward County court records show the 28-year-old Maye was charged with three misdemeanors — driving under the influence, DUI/damage to property, and leaving the scene of an accident — on Feb. 22 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Maye has a Zoom hearing scheduled for Oct. 20 in the case.
“Marcus Maye has not committed any crime, nor was he either intoxicated or impaired,” Eric Schwartzreich, Maye’s lawyer, said in an email Monday night to the AP. “Mr. Maye will have his day in court on these erroneous misdemeanor accusations, where we are confident that he will be found not guilty.”
Maye could face discipline from the NFL under its personal conduct policy, and league spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed to The Associated Press the NFL is reviewing the matter under its policies. Maye could also face additional discipline from the team if the Jets were unaware until Monday.
There were no injuries reported, but the driver of the other car involved in the accident, Jamila Abraham of Belle Glade, Florida, filed a civil suit “in excess” of $30,000, according to court documents.
It isn't the only recent legal trouble involving Maye. He was stopped by police in Orlando, Florida, on April 6 — about six weeks after his DUI arrest — and issued citations for speeding and driving on a suspended license with knowledge, according to Orange County Florida court records.
The speeding citation was dismissed on Aug. 23. The misdemeanor charge for driving with a suspended license with knowledge — a result of his DUI arrest in February — was amended to a non-criminal infraction, to which Maye pleaded no contest, according to court documents.
NorthJersey.com first reported the second incident Tuesday night.
Maye is in his fifth season with the Jets and the team’s longest-tenured player, but is currently sidelined by an ankle injury. He was working on a side field with trainers Wednesday and is expected to be out a few more weeks.
Saleh spoke highly of Maye when asked if there could be a trust factor now since he and the team might not have known about the incidents until now.
“First off, for me, it’s he without sin cast the first stone,” Saleh said. "We’ve all made mistakes and he recognizes the mistake he made, and I judge Marcus for how he’s been since I first met him and that really wasn’t until minicamp (in June). Marcus has been an outstanding teammate, he’s been an outstanding individual, his teammates absolutely love him.
“He’s been, from my understanding, hasn’t had many issues as a young man and this is something that he’ll get through.”
