Rex: Santonio incident 'blown out of proportion'
Despite his history of indiscretions, Santonio Holmes says he can help the Jets be Super Bowl contenders. (File photo, 2009) Credit: AP
Santonio Holmes has apparently found a bit of trouble.
The Jets wide receiver was reportedly met by police Thursday night after his inbound flight from Newark to Pittsburgh landed. Holmes failed to turn his iPod off in a timely fashion when the flight attendant asked him to do so as the plane was preparing to land.
According to a Jets team spokesman, an incident report was filed with the Allegheny (Pa.) Police Department and the Super Bowl XLIII MVP was allowed to go about his business.
In a statement, the Allegheny County Police said: "As previously reported, Santonio Holmes was NOT removed from any airplane. He was asked to remove his Ipod (at one point), in which he complied. There's no further information to report."
Rex Ryan said he has yet to speak with Holmes because he's currently traveling to Las Vegas to watch the much-hyped welterweight showdown between Sugar Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Given Holmes' recent off-the-field issues, the vultures are already circling as one might expect. Holmes has been suspended for the season's four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy and is also facing a lawsuit in Florida from a woman who claims he threw a glass at her at an Orlando night club, cutting her above the eye.
The Steelers grew weary of Holmes' trangressions and shipped him to the Jets April 12 in exchange for a fifth-round pick in last week's draft.
While he didn't exactly dismiss Holmes' latest incident, Ryan said he thinks it's not as bad as it's currently being portrayed.
"I know what has been told to me and it kind of got blown out of proportion it seems like in some of the media outlets and things," Ryan said after the Jets wrapped up the first practice of their three-day rookie minicamp. "Santonio, around here, when I’ve been around him, he’s been tremendous. He’s been at the voluntary workouts, doing a great job, competes in all the drills. He’s been outstanding.
"The thing that really jumps out with me is how he’s been in classroom with Mark Sanchez, with Schotty (Brian Schottenheimer). The guy takes great notes. When I’ve seen him in the building, he’s been tremendous. I don’t really know this incident or whatever. I don’t think it’s as big as what’s out there."
Asked if he's afraid he's going to have to answer to these types of situations frequently given Holmes' past, Ryan said: "I certainly hope I don’t have to. Ok, let’s face it. He should turned off his iPod. Ok. That’s what he should do. He should do that. I haven’t had a chance to talk to Santonio, but he certainly should do that."
Pressed if he thinks the incident could be an indicator of things to come, Ryan said. "I think for me to comment on a case where none of us know really exactly what happened ... the version that I got is much different than the version you guys got or what was on the internet. So I think really to comment on that is really not right."
Ryan said he plans on reaching out to Holmes sometime today.
"He’s on a flight right now as we speak," Ryan said. "But I will definitely try to get a hold of him."
PHOTOS: Santonio Holmes | Jets' offseason moves | NFL players behaving badly | Jets rookie minicamp
