Clippers Forward Zach Randolph Next in Pro Athlete DUI Parade?

A rough season for the Los Angeles Clippers (18-59) may be getting rougher, particularly so for Clips forward Zach Randolph. The Clippers suffered a tough loss in a tight game to their hometown rival Lakers yesterday, and then early Monday morning Randolph got pulled over when he was observed driving his Rolls Royce in a less-than-straight manner.

According to the AP, during the traffic stop officers could smell alcohol inside the vehicle and had Randolph perform field sobriety tests. Randolph failed the tests and was taken into custody (he was later released on $5,000 bail). The team is reserving comment at this time on the whole situation.

In California, a first time DUI offender is subject to 4 months of license revocation and possible jail time plus a fine. Randolph's is the latest in a rash of DUI-related offenses allegedly committed by athletes, some of whom face significant potential consequences in their DUI cases. Sports leagues, very conscious of potential damage to their public image in these cases, could at some point step up the penalties for such off-court/field incidents, although they are sometimes limited by agreements signed with player unions.

• AP: Clippers forward Randolph arrested for DUI
• AP: Lakers-Clippers Postgame Report
• TMZ: Clipper Clipped for Driving Drunk
• Donte Stallworth Charged with DUI Manslaughter; 'Per Se' DUI and DUI Manslaughter (FindLaw Blotter)
• FindLaw's DUI Center (FindLaw)
• California DUI Laws (FindLaw)