Khalif Barnes, one of the more consistent offensive linemen on the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL football team, has been charged with speeding and DUI. In response, the Jaguars benched the starting Offensive Left Tackle.
Early Saturday morning, Barnes was driving his 2007 Mercedes at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour when he passed a Jacksonville Sheriff’s deputy and was pulled over. He failed two breathalyzer tests, showing a blood alcohol content of 0.12. The legal limit in Florida is 0.08. Barnes was arrested and released from the Duval County jail several hours later after posting a $500 bond.
Jaguars Head Coach Jack Del Rio said, “I thought he acted extremely selfishly from being out that late in the first place on a Friday night to putting himself and other people in our community at risk by the reckless driving. And on top of that he had the DUI citation.” The coach indicated that Barnes will also be fined, but he did not indicate an amount.
Barnes was a 2005 draft pick out of Washington and he had started 22 consecutive football games.
Barnes is the third Jaguar player to have a run in with law enforcement in the last three months. Cornerback Brian Williams pleaded no contest to Florida DUI in September. Defensive End Bobby McCray was arrested for reckless driving and possession of a controlled substance. The drug was a painkiller prescribed by the team physician though and the charge was later dropped.
