Marston blog

Broncos linebacker stripped of captaincy after arrest

DENVER, Colorado (AFP) – Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams was stripped of his captaincy for the remainder of the season by the club on Saturday after his arrest on suspicion of drunk driving.

The Broncos, 2-6, also announced that Williams, the team's leading tackler, will not start in Sunday's National Football League game against Kansas City, a 5-3 squad with the league's top rushing attack.

Williams was fined an undisclosed amount by the Broncos for missing practice and a team meeting on Friday while he was in a detoxification facility after an early-morning arrest.

"The Denver Broncos are extremely disappointed in D.J. Williams' careless and irresponsible actions on Friday morning," the team said in a statement.

"This type of behavior is taken very seriously by the organization.

"The Broncos have levied the heaviest fines possible to him for conduct detrimental to the club under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement due to the disruption and resulting impact on the team."

Williams, a seven-year veteran for the Broncos, has a December 13 court hearing on the matter but also risks punishment from the league.

The NFL determines fines and suspensions on alcohol-related incidents but Williams would face a multi-game suspension as a repeat offender following an incident in 2005.