e season, apologizing to Clevelands fans and his teammates for being

WASHINGTON -- Indianapolis Colts safety Joe Lefeged was arrested early Saturday after officers found a semi-automatic pistol in the car he was riding in, police said. Lefeged was a front-seat passenger in a Chevy Camaro that fled a traffic stop for speeding in northeast Washington just after midnight. Officers smelled marijuana in the car and found a plastic bottle of vodka and orange juice in the centre console and a semi-automatic pistol under the front passenger seat, police documents show. A receipt and purchase paperwork showed Lefeged bought the gun this year for about $900, police said. Lefeged and another passenger were caught when they tried to run from the car in different directions, police said. The driver ran away and was not immediately caught. Lefeged was being held without bond at D.C. jail on a weapon charge. He faces a preliminary court hearing Tuesday. A lawyer listed as representing him did not return a call seeking comment Saturday afternoon. "We are aware of the reports regarding Joe Lefeged in Washington, D.C. At this time, we will have no further comment on the pending matter until we gain more information," the Colts said in a statement Saturday. Police say officers stopped the car for speeding and because another passenger in the car was standing completely upright in the backseat. After police repeatedly told the driver to put the car in park, the driver sped off, nearly striking officers who had surrounded the white convertible, police said. Police say they recovered the car nearby and arrested Lefeged as he tried to run away. Officers found a .40-calibre semi-automatic handgun "in plain view sticking out from underneath the front passenger seat," as well as a clear, plastic container of alcohol, according to charging documents. Prosecutors arent pursuing charges against the other passenger, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorneys office said. Authorities say Lefeged had Maryland State Police purchase paperwork for the pistol but was not authorized to carry the weapon in D.C., which has strict gun laws. Lefeged, 25, grew up outside of Washington and was a star high school football player in the region. Now entering his third NFL season, he played college football for Rutgers and was signed by the Colts as an undrafted free agent in July 2011. He started four games last season and recorded two tackles and a forced fumble in a playoffs loss to the Baltimore Ravens in January. The arrest comes as the NFL grapples with gun violence. Tight end Aaron Hernandez was charged this week with orchestrating the execution-style slaying of a semi-pro football player and was swiftly released by the New England Patriots. Last year, former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher fatally shot his girlfriend and then turned the gun on himself. Bruno Fernando Hawks Jersey . The Flames are in the midst of a six-game slide (0-5-1), their longest losing streak since an 0-6-3 skid from Jan. 11-28, 2010. They havent won since Nov. 3 in Chicago and most recently went winless on a three-game homestand. Josh Smith Hawks Jersey . Hemsky left the Oilers Tuesday night loss to the Dallas Stars in the second period and did not return. Through 48 games this season, Hemsky has seven goals and a total of 24 points. https://www.thehawkslockerroom.com/Spud-Webb-City-Edition-Jersey/ . His second visit, not so much. Roark (7-5) allowed four runs on 10 hits and one walk over six innings in a 7-2 setback in front of several friends and family members, as the Cubs snapped his personal streak of four consecutive victories on Friday. Jeremy Lin Hawks Jersey . Lauzon rushed for 42 yards on 15 carries for the Vert et Or (2-3) while quarterback Jeremi Roch completed 19-of-32 passes for 251 yards and one interception. Alexandre Aube scored the other touchdown for Sherbrooke. Spud Webb Jersey . -- Wes Welker is unlikely to suit up for Denvers game Thursday against San Diego after leaving Sundays win over Tennessee with his second concussion in four games.CLEVELAND - Johnny Manziel has sought help to change his off-field lifestyle.Following a rough rookie season in the NFL, Manziel has entered a treatment program for unspecified reasons, an adviser for the Browns quarterback said in a statement released by the team on Monday.Johnny knows there are areas he needs to improve on to help him be a better family member, friend and teammate, so he decided to take this step in his life during the off-season, Manziel adviser Brad Beckworth said. Beckworth said the former Heisman Trophy winner entered the unnamed facility last week. He said Manziels family is asking for privacy until he rejoins the team.Beckworths statement did not indicate reasons for Manziel needing treatment. However, the 22-year-old QBs penchant for partying followed him from college into the pros and Manziels nightlife has been well-chronicled by both social and mainstream media.The location of the facility where Manziel is staying is not immediately known.Browns general manager Ray Farmer said in a statement that the team fully supports Manziel and respects his initiative in entering treatment. The team will respect Manziels privacy during treatment, he said.Our players health and well-being will always be of the utmost importance to the Cleveland Browns, Farmer said. We continually strive to create a supportive environment and provide the appropriate resources, with our foremost focus being on the individual and not just the football player.Citing privacy laws, a Browns spokesman declined to provide any further information about Manziels situation.Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins offered his support to Manziel on Twitter.Much love and support to my brother Johnny, Hawkins wrote. Proud of him, big step. Football is secondary. God Bless!NBA superstar LeBron James, who is both a friend and business partner of Manziels, also expressed his support for the young QB.I havent talked to him, James said after the Cavaliers won their 11th straight game. As a friend I support him. I want him to get better. As friends and family we all believe in him and this is a good step if this is the route hes going to take.Manziel, who won the Heisman as a freshman at Texas A&M where his playmaking skills earned him his Johnny Football nickname, has faced questions for several years about his active nightlife. After he was drafted in May by the Browns in the first round, Manziel was repeatedly photographed drinking alcohol during weekend trips to Las Vegas. A photograph of Manziel floating on an inflatable swan raft swigging a bottle of champagne went viral.The Brrowns became increasingly concerned about Manziel when a photo surfaced of Manziel holding a rolled bill in a bathroom.dddddddddddd.Manziel often dismissed criticism about his behaviour, insisting he wasnt going to let others dictate to him how to live his life. However, following the season, Manziel seemed embarrassed by some of his choices and vowed to change his ways.Its about actions, he somberly told reporters on Dec. 29. Its about being accountable and doing what Im going to say. ... Im either going to learn or Im going to be finding something else to do.Manziels alma mater released a statement offering its support, stating Johnny will always be an Aggie, and we wish him well in another step in his journey.Manziel spent the majority of last season as starter Brian Hoyers backup before coach Mike Pettine switched their roles with the team still in the playoff hunt.Manziel made his first start on Dec. 14 against Cincinnati, but failed miserably. He appeared unprepared and overmatched as the Bengals defence harassed him into two interceptions and the Browns were throttled 30-0. Manziel completed 10 of 18 passes for 80 yards, was sacked twice and looked nothing like a player capable of ending Clevelands long search to find a franchise quarterback.The next week at Carolina, Manziel injured his hamstring on a running play before halftime and was replaced by Hoyer.Manziel was then fined by the Browns for missing a medical treatment before the season finale at Baltimore. Manziel promised he would change following the season, apologizing to Clevelands fans and his teammates for being a distraction.But hours after apologizing, he was photographed in Miami Beach and over the next few days there were photos of him on Instagram in a Houston nightclub and in Aspen, Colorado.The Browns have made it clear to Manziel that they expect more from him if he wants to be their leader.Johnny has to show on and off the field he can be a professional, owner Jimmy Haslam said on Jan. 22. He knows that. Everybody in the organization has told him that. He knows what we expect of him on and off the field and its up to him to prove he can do that.Manziels uncertain future could influence the Browns plans at quarterback. Hoyer is scheduled to become a free agent, but the Cleveland native may be willing to re-sign with Cleveland, especially if Manziel is not in the picture. The Browns also have two first-round picks (Nos. 12 and 19) in this years draft and may be willing to use them to land a quarterback.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '