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Hairston said he was not with Gordon when he was arrested.
Hairston missed the first 10 games before UNC decided not to seek his reinstatement from the NCAA due to several violations, ending his college career.
"I'm still growing up," Hairston said. "I still have a lot of growing up to do. In life, you make mistakes and it's something I will learn from again."
But Gordon was arrested for DWI on Saturday. Then a day later, a high school basketball player said Hairston punched him during a pickup game at a YMCA in nearby Durham, leading to an August court hearing for Hairston.
In May, he was ticketed in Strongsville, Ohio,China Jerseys NFL Wholesale, for speeding and a passenger in his car was cited for marijuana possession. Gordon pleaded not guilty, and a pretrial hearing scheduled for Friday has been continued until Aug. 15.
The arrest was particularly bad timing for Gordon,Cheap Hockey Jerseys, who is awaiting another possible NFL suspension for reportedly failing a drug test — a violation that could cost the 23-year-old a full season.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Charlotte Hornets rookie P.J. Hairston says he and Cleveland Browns Pro Bowl receiver Josh Gordon decided to swap vehicles following a chance meeting at a grocery store. Gordon was arrested for driving while impaired in Hairston's 2015 Cadillac Escalade in Raleigh.
"I don't have a reason to be back there," he said. "I have a job now so I can't risk my job any more. Now I have guys here I can play ball with so I don't need to be anywhere else."
"What I told him the other day is we need to start having more meetings about his defense and shot selection," Hornets coach Steve Clifford said, "and less about what he's got to do to be a dependable player."
But the incidents also revealed both Hairston and Gordon are tied to Durham felon and party promoter Haydn Patrick "Fats" Thomas, who was involved in Hairston's exit from the Tar Heels men's basketball program last year. And it was the kind of weekend both athletes would rather forget.
"I wasn't disappointed because I didn't think it would get to the point where it is now," Hairston said. "Once I realized that he had connections with people that had got me in trouble in the past,Wholesale China NFL Jerseys, then I realized it's probably going to be a problem."
Hairston played in the NBA Development League for the Texas Legends, then Miami picked him in the first round of last month's draft before trading him to the Hornets.
Gordon was at the team's recent minicamp, but has declined interviews.
Gordon was released on $500 bond and records show it was paid by Thomas, who declined comment Thursday when reached by The Associated Press about his relationship with Gordon. Last year, authorities twice cited Hairston in Durham — once leading to a later-dismissed misdemeanor marijuana possession charge — while driving vehicles rented under Thomas' name or address.
"He had a Mercedes and I said, 'OK, let's switch,Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic,'" Hairston said after summer league practice in Charlotte. "I was just being generous. I have a thing for saying yes and felt like that wasn't a big deal. It was not like he was going to mess something up with my car if I had his car."
Gordon entered the league after a troubled career at Baylor as a second-round supplemental draft pick in 2012. He was suspended two games last season for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, but still led the league with 1,646 yards receiving.
Hairston said Thursday he was at a Chapel Hill hotel last week and went to the nearby store where he recognized Gordon and struck up a conversation. When they went outside,Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping, Hairston said,Cheap Sports Jerseys, Gordon saw his SUV and asked to switch cars for a day.
Gordon's agent Drew Rosenhaus declined comment Thursday. It remains unclear why Gordon, a Houston native, was in the state.
As for Hairston, he said he will stay away from Durham.
That random encounter brought together two athletes who have had their share of troubles. |
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