Hambrick posts bail on theft charge, will play against Bucs

Former Pasco High School football star Darren Hambrick is scheduled to start Sunday for the Cleveland Browns against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.

On Monday, Hambrick, 27, made a brief, early homecoming as an inmate at the Pasco County jail.

The fifth-year linebacker attended his team's practice Monday in Berea, Ohio, flew to Tampa, turned himself in on a warrant for grand theft, posted bail and returned to Cleveland by Tuesday, his attorney said.

"It was, I guess, pretty much an error on his part," said Tampa attorney Aldo Ojeda. "It's my understanding he expects to play (Sunday) and I haven't been told anything else."

The charge against Hambrick is a third-degree felony. His legal trouble stems from a $5,682.51 check he received last year from Richardson's Sports, which owns the Carolina Panthers. (Hambrick played for the Panthers in 2001.)

Hambrick told the Panthers he never received the check. According to court documents, he had the Panthers stop payment on the check and issue a second one. Then, on Jan. 29, he cashed both checks at a Bank of America in Dade City.

The court records state that he refused requests from the bank to refund the money.

On March 21, the bank reported Hambrick to the Dade City police, said Capt. David Duff. On Aug. 2, a warrant was issued for Hambrick's arrest.

He was booked into the jail at 5:25 p.m., posted $10,000 bail and left at 7:42 p.m. Ojeda said the timing was unrelated to his game in Tampa this weekend.

He said the 1993 Pasco High graduate had arranged to turn himself in and paid restitution last month to Bank of America.

"I'm hopeful since the restitution has been paid, the state will just go ahead and drop (the charge)," Ojeda said.

A Bank of America spokesman declined to comment. Assistant State Attorney Phil Van Allen did not return a phone call seeking comments. Ojeda said the check was probably a bonus payment.

Hambrick, an unrestricted free agent, signed a one-year contract with the Browns for $525,000 on Aug. 11, days after the warrant was issued.

"We had been made aware of the situation prior to Darren Hambrick coming to the Cleveland Browns involving a duplicate check issue," said team spokesman Todd Stewart. "We understand all monies have been returned. We're waiting for further information from the authorities and Darren's attorney."

Stewart said any punishment decisions will be up to head coach Butch Davis and the NFL. He said Hambrick was unavailable for comment.

NFL spokesman Steve Alick cited the league's personal conduct policy, which requires Hambrick to undergo counseling. Any players convicted of or admitting to criminal conduct are subject to a fine, suspension without pay or banishment from the league at the discretion of the NFL commissioner. Failure to comply with league-mandated counseling carries similar punishment.

A Carolina Panthers spokesman said the team was unaware of the incident.

Hambrick's name is synonymous with Pasco County football. He and his brother, Troy, a Dallas Cowboys running back, led Pasco High to the 1992 Class 3A state championship. In 1999 the St. Petersburg Times named Hambrick the greatest high school football player in county history.

The prep All-American signed with the University of Florida, but as a sophomore he was dismissed by coach Steve Spurrier from the team in January 1995 for fighting with a teammate at a Sugar Bowl reception. Hambrick transferred to South Carolina, and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1998 in the fifth round of the 1998 NFL draft. But the Cowboys cut Hambrick after five games in 2001. The Panthers picked him up, and he started eight of nine games there.

Hambrick has been in trouble before. He was found guilty of a 1995 charge in Gainesville of resisting arrest without violence. He received six months of probation. He was arrested in 1999 on charges of fleeing an officer without violence. He received a year of probation.

Hambrick's agent at Synergy Sports International in South Carolina did not return a phone call seeking commment. His former agent, Butch Williams, said he was surprised to learn of the charge.

Williams said, "I hope the Cleveland Browns don't cut him."

-- Staff writer Chase Squires contributed to this report.

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