Eddie Lacy, former star running back for the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Green Bay Packers, was arrested Monday night in Scottsdale, Arizona. The 34-year-old was taken into custody following a traffic stop after police were alerted to a potentially impaired driver.
According to the Scottsdale Police Department, Lacy was pulled over around 10:30 p.m. local time for multiple traffic violations. Officers initiated the stop after observing erratic driving, and upon approaching the vehicle, they reportedly noticed signs that something was amiss.
“Officers located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop due to traffic violations that were observed by the officers,” the Scottsdale Police Department confirmed in a statement.
During the stop, officers discovered what appeared to be an open container of alcohol in Lacy’s vehicle, leading to further investigation. According to ABC 15 News, the discovery of the open container, combined with Lacy’s condition, prompted officers to conduct a sobriety test. It was later determined that Lacy had a blood alcohol content level of .20 or higher, which led to his arrest on charges of possession of an open container inside a vehicle and extreme DUI.
Lacy was processed and held overnight but was released from jail early Tuesday morning, TMZ reported. The former NFL standout now faces serious legal consequences as a result of the DUI and open container charges.
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Lacy’s arrest has drawn attention due to his past as a football star. He was a key player for the Alabama Crimson Tide, contributing to three BCS National Championship teams during his collegiate career. In his junior season in 2012, Lacy rushed for an impressive 1,322 yards and scored 19 total touchdowns over 14 games. His powerful running style and ability to break through defenses made him a standout at Alabama, where he averaged an impressive 6.8 yards per carry during his three seasons.
Following his success at Alabama, Lacy was selected in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft, 61st overall, by the Green Bay Packers. His transition to the NFL was seamless, as he quickly became one of the league’s top young running backs. In his rookie season, Lacy rushed for 1,178 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning him the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year title and a Pro Bowl selection.
Lacy continued his strong performance in his second season, rushing for 1,139 yards and scoring 13 total touchdowns in 2014. His efforts helped the Packers secure a playoff victory over the Dallas Cowboys, where he rushed for 101 yards on 19 carries. However, despite his early success, Lacy’s production began to decline after his first two seasons.
By 2015, Lacy’s performance had dipped, as he rushed for 758 yards and just five touchdowns. In 2016, he suffered a severe ankle injury that limited him to just five games, although he still averaged a career-best 5.1 yards per carry during that shortened season.
In 2017, Lacy signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks, hoping for a fresh start. Unfortunately, his time in Seattle was disappointing, as he started only three games and rushed for a mere 179 yards for the entire season. This would be Lacy’s final season in the NFL. Over the course of his career, Lacy earned more than $7.5 million, but his time as a top NFL running back was cut short by injuries and struggles with weight management.
Lacy’s arrest marks a troubling chapter in his post-NFL life, as fans and observers reflect on the highs and lows of his football career.
While he was once a dominant force on the field, Lacy now faces serious legal and personal challenges following his recent DUI charge in Arizona.
