Saints’ Graham hospitalized, arrested following “medical episode”
Published 2:27 pm Saturday, August 19, 2023
- New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) puts on his helmet at the team's training camp. Graham was hospitalized Friday in Los Angeles for what the team called a "medical episode," and arrested for suspicion of being under the influence resisting arrest. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham was in the midst of a “medical episode” and was disoriented when he was taken into custody in the Los Angeles area and transported to a hospital, the team said Saturday.
Graham was stopped by police on Friday night while reportedly wandering in traffic and booked on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance. TMZ Sports reported that Graham was also booked on charges of resisting, delaying and obstructing a police officer. Both are misdemeanors.
The Saints announced Graham has been evaluated by team doctor John Amoss, was released from a hospital on Saturday morning and was back with the team as it prepared for a preseason game on Sunday night against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The team said Amoss determined Graham “likely” was suffering the effects of a seizure when he was apprehended on Friday night. Graham spent the night under medical supervision and testing, the team said.
“Amoss met Graham at the hospital and is overseeing his care at this time,” the Saints’ statement said.
It was not immediately clear whether the 36-year-old Graham would be available to play on Sunday.
Graham is a five-time Pro Bowl player who spent last season out of football but returned to the league last month when he signed a one-year contract with New Orleans. He spent his first five seasons with the Saints before stops in Seattle, Green Bay and Chicago.
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