June arrested on DUI charge

Tampa - Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Cato June was arrested early Monday on a charge of DUI, according to a jail booking log.

June, who turned 28 Sunday, was arrested at 2:52 a.m. at Osborne Avenue W and Dale Mabry Highway. He is being held in jail on $500 bond.

-- Abhi Raghunathan

Times Staff Writer

[Brian Cassella | Times photo]

Comments

[DR]

Wow, and he refused to blow. I guess he'll need rides to practice for the next year. In other news, Cato June was named captain of the Bucs team.

[Tom]

I don't understand how celebrities get busted for DUI, especially stars like Lohan and Hilton. They can afford to have limos or at least a cab. If you're going out to put down a few, why not take the steps to avoid a DUI. I'm not rich and I've taken a few cabs home before. It's a lot cheaper than a DUI!!

This is going to be costly for Cato. He's going to lose a few paychecks which will be in the tens of thousands.

[Skylar]

That sucks. And it was his birthday too. In other news, I believe they caught him buying steroids from someone in the Cowboys organization.

[joe]

Why must people drink liquor? goodness, with his money, I could party drink free. cmon.. another wonderful role model.

[DR]

Joe, these guys aren't role models. teachers are role models. they have interactions with kids on a constant basis. This guy is a football player. I can't believe a game, a sport, is tied to role models. Why do people expect athletes to be role models?
Tom, you're absolutely right. I've paid $40 for a cab ride before. These guys can buy the damn cab. What the heck is wrong with these rich people?!

[George]

Smart man in not blowing. Probably will get off lightly because of it. Should have taken a cab.

As long as he wasn't too far from his home, it's not so bad. Or if he was careful then he should be let go.

[Edward]

And this is front page news because...?

[Tom]

DR, I paid $70 for a cab ride from St. Pete to South Tampa last weekend! LOL! Still cheaper than $10,000 in attorney fees.

Enough about that nonsense. We have a pretty tough game ahead against the Redskins. They gave the Cowboys quite a battle in their home. We're gonna need a whole lot of E.G. to pound the rock.

[peyton]

man,he wasn't drunk and if he was they just won a game so he had to celebrate so all yall haterz need to tighten up and get off ill linebacker,straight up real talk

[Dave Hedick]

Hey Cato - Having a celebration drink for your win and Birthday is to be expected but if you have a few drinks then call a taxi.

[marsha]

excuse it says he is being held on a $500 bond.. why is he being held on a $500 bond with his money... HELLO?

[MELISSA]

Tom.. the reason they don't hire a driver is because the rich and famous don't get charged with DUI. As we have seen over and over again. These people get away with it not only on the first offense but also on sec, third you name it. Money Talks!!

[Dallas]

Marsha, What do you think he is gonna do? Skip town? $500 is probably a common bond amount for a DUI arrest. He should not have to pay more than you just because he happens to have a higher income than you. The class envy in these posts is tiresome. That said, No one should be driving intoxicated whether they can afford a cab ride or not. It will be unfortunate for Buc fans if he has to serve a suspension, because he is a very good player. Call me next time Cato, I will come pick you up.

[John Klopfer]

We must remember alcholism is a disease and can affect anyone, even star athletes. With that said, he should have exercised enough judgement to have a designated driver or take a cab. Atheletes are given a public trust of being role models(whether they want to or not). Cato June, and other stars, need to rise to the challenge. What they do outside the white lines is really more important than what they do inside the lines.

[John Klopfer]

First we need to recognize that star atheltes are not immune from alcholism. If June is an alcholic, we can only hope he receives the help he needs. Secondly, he should have been responsble enough to have a designated driver, or taken a cab. Atheletes are suppose to be role models for kid. It is time we demand they live up to the responsibility. What they do outside the white lines is just as important as what they do inside. Thank God there are role models like Derrick Brooks. Maybe June could ask for a lesson.

[MELISSA]

I don't see how making the comment or that a person "needs help" because they have one DUI is valid claim. First off anyone who has A drink maybe TWO can possibly receive a DUI if driving and stopped. He made a bad judgement call is all... big deal! I think most of us have done this from time to time. And i'm sure not too many people can claim they have never had ONE drink and got in the car to drive home.
I do agree however that the rich and famous do get special treatment. The laws do not always apply the same for everyone.

[Rob]

Here is my suggestion. New idea for book = DUI for Dummies. How not to get a DUI, page 1- if you drink and have enough money to pay someone for a ride, pay that person for a ride home. Cabs, limos, and even rickshaws are available for use. Wake up people, use these services and stop acting like little kids wanting a break all the time. Take responsibility for your choices.

[Nick]

Marsha: DUI suspects are held for 8 hours before being allowed to post bail. Need time to sober up.

[Rob]

Edward, it's front-page news because Cato June is a public figure and plays a major role on our local NFL team. Did you really not know, or were you being sarcastic? I'd like to think the latter.

[DR]

John, athletes are expected to be role models from bad parents. A Mother and Father should be a role model for their kid. If the kid looks up to an athlete, i feel bad for that kid. A kid should want to play like Cato, not be like him.

[shuman]

To Holmes! Way to go bro!

[bolts canucks fan]

"There's so much temptation!"-Dexter Manley.

At 28 years old and a high profile athlete in Tampa, be more responsible with you actions, Cato. I'm sure there are 10,000 fans in Tampa who will gladly wake up the in the middle of the night to drive you home without incident. I think this is his first offense, so community service would be a good thing. Just hope we don't lose Cato to a suspension. This team needs him and his play at LB has been great as of late...

Good luck Cato and hope you learn from this mistake.

Although the charge is serious, it is still a misdemeanor.

He needs to set better example for kids.

[fan ex]

why did he not take a cab? That is really stupid on his part. Don's tell me he's like Michael Vick and cannot afford one. Cab would be less than the cost of one of those spinner hub caps.

[paul t]

Cato, Cato, Cato, Dumbo. Got enough money to buy your way of anything , huh? By the way, Johnny Cochran is dead, but his firm lives on. I am sure it's just a misunderstanding, or were the cops profiling?

[Off Topic]

First, it is typical that some bozo would inject "alcoholism" into the discussion. The Kool-Aid Drinking 12-Steppers assume that ANY legal problems related to being drunk are proof of "alcoholism." Their mindset is that if you drink to get drunk - even if only occasionally - you're an "alcoholic."

Second, "alcoholism" is NOT a disease. This bunk is accepted without question by the media and the public at large. Why not call smoking a "disease?" Nicotine-ism, perhaps. Anyone who chooses to drink can, and should, learn to make smart decisions and control his or her behavior BEFORE inebriation makes it almost impossible to do so.

Tens of millions of dollars are generated annually by the "recovery" industry. People should take a closer look at why and by whom.

[MELISSA]

OFF TOPIC... I agree ! And Paul T cops are some of the biggest hypocrites forget "profiling".

[Dee from St. Pete]

John Klopfer, I would like to know where did you get you doctor degree to make your assessment. I would like to know how did you conclude Cato is an alcoholic because he is accused of DUI. DUI is dumb thing to do, but it doesn't automatically link to alcoholism. To make such conclusion with limited details provided by newspaper is asinine. John is an @ss clown. Please don't count on athletes to be your kids role model. The parents should be the role model. That's is my take.

[ol'baymudskipper]

Form all past accounts of Cato's character, I'm sure he feels terrible about the bad judgement he made getting behind the wheel after a well deserved evening of celebration. Some forgiveness is appropriate. I hold whoever he was last night equally responsible, and call on the team (and team managers) to monitor one another so this sort of stuff doesn't happen again. Friends don't let friends drive drunk. They could put someone at the Buc's compound gate to screen all team members on their way out of the parking lot. If their condition is questionable, get 'em a cab.

[sick and tired]

This is not worth printing. I'm not a BUC's at ALL, but with so much more going on in our city and state how in the heck can you people sit back and think this is something we need read. Get a life Tampa Bay!!!

[ol'baymudskipper]

hey, sick and tired...
IMO Hannah (banana) Montana isn't worthy of a headline, either. But there it is. People are interested in all sorts of things...not just whatever YOU think is newsworthy. It's a free country, and you are more than welcome to NOT read the Bucs news, or post a comment if you have nothing worthy to say about it.
FYI, Cato isn't a benchwarmer. He's part of what's made the Bucs a winning team this year. So, it DOES matter.

The Times removed references to John Romano because he has never been charged with DUI.

Jack Sheppard, Sports Editor

[Ignatius]

First of all, this kid (and I do mean kid) has not been convicted of anything can we all please withold judgement until then?

Secondly, of those out there castigating Mr. June for his actions last night, how many of you take a cab EVERY time you have a couple drinks at dinner? You would be surprised how little alcohol it takes to exceed Florida's legal limit.

Did he take a wise course of action? Of course not. He made a mistake, EVERYONE makes mistakes.

[Brady]

Cato should have had David Boston drive him . . .oh that's right, he's asleep . . . BEHIND THE WHEEL!

[Chris]

I've got one. My wife had one. We aren't thugs, or bad people. People we work for don't know because it isn't publicized. Too bad for Cato he is a celebrity. Now everyone gets to judge him. Better for my wife and we are average people. Our neighbors can't throw stones.

The people that have concluded he's an "alcoholic" are simply wrong. All it takes is one drink and an overzealous cop. Ever notice how every police report says the same thing?? Search David Brock, the disgraced Tampa officer who wrongly arrested hundreds of people for DUI and ruined lives indiscriminately. And, how about the officer's wife in Bradenton a week ago that was driven home from a czechpoint while a dozen others went to the clink. Think they'd have liked a free pass? You bet. MADD has run amok.

"And, how about the officer's wife in Bradenton a week ago that was driven home from a czechpoint while a dozen others went to the clink."

Filip Kuba lives in Bradenton?

[BucsGuy#1]

Chris - Keep it real. You and your wife have DUI's and you're not thugs or bad people? Like Hell your not. Tell some grieving wife/husband/mother/father/children who's relative gets killed because you chose to make it up as you go and endanger everyone instead of living by society's standards. Do you think anyone sets out to kill someone while driving drunk but it happens. How can you rationally justify your actions and its defense? This is not the 1950's. DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE! Let me guess: you also drag race up and down Court Street in Clearwater.

[tony]

the truth of the matter is if ins. companies did not have the pull they have we would still think like in the 70's no big deal. Insurance companies dictate our morallity by statistics!

[Skylar]

BucGuy#1 - I hate to inform you, but unfortuately, DUI is not that big of a deal in a legal sense and is tolerated by our society. Until we start having stricter regulations (like losing your license for life after 1 violation,) people will continue to drink and drive and elect Presidents and Vice Presidents who have done the same. Hey BucGuy, if you voted for Bush/Cheney, you're just a hypocrite.

[DR]

Holy crap Skylar, I agree with you 100%! These guys are clowns that dog June and others for getting DUIs while voting for pieces of garbage like Bush/Cheney. DUIs aren't something to be taken lightly, but it's also a case by case thing. If the guy had 2 drinks and blew a .08 is completely different from a person blowing a .2.

[Skylar]

I know DR: soon cats and dogs will be living together...