Adrian Fedkiw
A day ago, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson said that Josh Huff was going to play on Sunday.
Now he’s gone.
The Eagles released the wide receiver Huff on Thursday afternoon, two days after he was arrested on the Walt Whitman Bridge Tuesday morning for DUI, marijuana and gun possession, which did not have a permit in New Jersey, and a magazine that contained six hollow-point bullets.
So what changed?
“The last 48 hours we spent a lot of time discussing this as an organization, going through our process and gathering information,” Eagles vice president of football operations Howie Roseman said during a press conference Thursday. “Based on the circumstances and the facts involved that it was the right thing to do for our football team.”
Team owner Jeffrey Lurie, president Don Smolenski, Pederson and Roseman met to examine the situation of releasing Huff, who was informed of the news Thursday morning.
“For us we just want to go through a process, gather all the information and then sit down as an organization and make a decision that we think is a right decision for the Philadelphia Eagles,” Roseman said.
Huff spoke to reporters for the first time about the incident on Wednesday afternoon and asked, “What professional athlete don’t have a gun?”
“I have a wife and I have a son at home. My job is to protect them at all cost. My job is to protect myself, as well. Even though I know I have security here, I have to protect myself, as well,” Huff said.
Roseman stated that those comments had nothing to do with the decision to part ways with the third-year receiver. Huff released a statement via ESPN:
“First, I want to apologize to Mr. Lurie and his family, my coaches and teammates, and all Eagles fans. I’m sorry that any action by me brought negative light to this organization. I want to thank the Lurie Family, Howie, this community and the entire Eagles organization for the opportunity I’ve had for the past 3 years. Most important, I want to let the fans and community as a whole know that I understand the responsibility I have as a professional athlete, and I will take all measures necessary to correct mistakes I have made.”
Linebacker Nigel Bradham has been arrested twice since the summer, including one where a loaded gun was found in his backpack as he attempted to get through airport security. He’s still on the roster, however, and Roseman explained that the two cases are “very different” circumstances.
“We have to take each of these separately and examine the facts that we have and go through a process and make a decision that’s in the best interest of the organization.
The 25-year-old Huff has 13 receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown to go along with a 98-yard kickoff return for a score this season. His 36.0 yards per kick return currently leads the NFL.
“There’s no doubt that he was coming along as a player and that he helps this team, but we have to do what’s in the best interest of this organization, this building and the 63 guys. We have a responsibility to a lot of people here and we don’t take that lightly,” Roseman said.