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Rogers apologizes to family, fans, Browns after arrest on gun charge

Associated Press
CLEVELAND -- Browns nose tackle Shaun Rogers apologized to his fans and his team Friday, saying he didn't intend to carry a loaded gun in his luggage as he tried to pass through airport security. He plans to plead not guilty to a concealed weapons charge, his lawyer said.

A Cleveland city prosecutor filed the fourth-degree felony charge, alleging that Rogers carried a .45-caliber Kimber semiautomatic with eight rounds in his carry-on luggage at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. A police report said the gun's hammer was cocked in safe mode.

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Rogers, 31, posted bond of $1,000 after spending a night in jail following his Thursday arrest. Defense attorney Patrick D'Angelo said Rogers would be in court Saturday morning to enter a not guilty plea and waive a preliminary hearing.

Rogers told reporters he didn't mean to take the gun into the airport and was sorry. He apologized to his family and fans and to the Browns.

"By no means did I intend or willingly or knowingly take a firearm into the airport," Rogers said. "That's not something I would do."

After participating in the Browns' voluntary offseason program, the three-time Pro Bowl lineman was on his way back home to Houston to spend Easter with his family when police say he was stopped with the weapon. Police say Rogers was traveling with Browns teammate Robaire Smith.

Rogers told officers that he had forgotten the gun was in his bag and that he carried it for personal safety during travel. Police say Rogers has a license in Michigan to carry a concealed weapon.

When reporters asked Rogers on Friday why he needed a weapon, D'Angelo answered that it wasn't a fair question because his client has a license to carry a firearm.

Rogers has been traveling between Detroit and Cleveland regularly while he tries to sell a home in Michigan.

"I'm truly remorseful, and I really can't put into words how unfortunate the incident is," Rogers said. "Again, I'm completely sorry."

The arrest could put Rogers' future with the Browns in jeopardy. Team president Mike Holmgren issued a statement Thursday saying that he was aware of "what transpired with Shaun Rogers" and that the Browns would reserve comment "until the legal process has taken its course."

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D'Angelo said he wants to try to resolve the criminal matter by discussing it with a prosecutor, but he didn't elaborate.

The office of Cuyahoga County prosecutor Bill Mason, which handles felonies, will review the case to see how to proceed, spokesman Ryan Miday said.

Police booked Rogers on a third-degree felony, a local practice that allows officers to hold him for investigation, but prosecutors decide what charge is filed in court. A third-degree felony carries a possible five-year prison term, a fourth-degree felony up to 18 months.

Even if he isn't convicted, Rogers could face suspension from the NFL for violating its strict personal-conduct policy for players. He was suspended for four games in 2006 while with the Detroit Lions for violating the substance-abuse policy.

Rogers, who missed the Browns' final five games last season with a broken leg, has been the subject of previous trade rumors. He was selected to the Pro Bowl after his first season in Cleveland, which acquired him in a 2008 trade with Detroit, and he's signed through 2013.

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Iceman778

finally it was a good decision

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It seem like the right thing to do at the time.