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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jaguars defensive end Bobby McCray apologized Monday after being charged with reckless driving and possession of a controlled painkiller, calling his arrest "a big embarrassment."
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The third-year player from Florida admitted driving faster than 90 mph, but insisted he wasn't racing teammates when he was pulled over on his way home from the airport Sunday night. The Jags lost 27-7 at Houston earlier in the day.
McCray also said he was prescribed two Vicodin pills by team doctors, and the Jaguars expected the prescription drug charge to be dropped.
"It's a big embarrassment," McCray said. "It's time-consuming. It's an embarrassment to the team and myself. You just look at it and learn from it, and drive slow from here on out."
According to a police report, a Jacksonville sheriff's officer in an unmarked sport utility vehicle saw McCray's black 2005 Dodge Magnum approaching from behind with flashing blue and white lights. The officer thought it was an emergency vehicle, so he pulled over, the report said.
McCray's car and two other vehicles sped by the officer, who determined McCray was driving 92 mph in a 65 mph zone. The officer also said the cars almost crashed into each other.
"I don't know about the almost crash," McCray said. "I've never been in an accident before. As far as the racing incident, he probably saw other cars driving fast behind me and assumed we were racing. That wasn't the fact. It was just me being a little impatient trying to get home."
McCray told the officer he and a teammate were just playing around, the report said. McCray later said no teammates were involved.
He was arrested on charges of racing on the highway, reckless driving and prohibited use of certain lights. While searching McCray, the officer found two white pills in his front pocket.
McCray was handcuffed, taken to the Duval County Jail and released at 1:24 a.m. Monday on bail.
"There were some prescription pills that were involved that are of question," Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said. "We are very confident that will not be an issue. It was prescribed by the doctors. That was on the up and up."
NFL team doctors often prescribe painkillers to players following games. McCray said players usually place them in small envelopes, but he put them in his pocket.
"(The officer) wanted them in a prescription bottle," McCray said.
Del Rio said McCray was on his own with the other charges.
"The other part -- the traffic issue -- he's going to have to deal with that," Del Rio said. "He's a grown man. I continually encourage our guys to make good choices and understand there are always consequences to the decisions that you make. Certainly that was not a good decision on his part."
McCray described the lights -- two white ones and two blue ones -- as decorative accessories he put on his car.
"I've got some lights on my car that are supposed to be used when the vehicle is not in motion," he said. "He just saw them on while the vehicle was in motion, and I guess you're not allowed to do that. I guess my car's supposed to be in park. You get your tickets and keep moving.
"If I've got to pay a fine, I've got to pay a fine. It was an unfortunate incident."
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