Tennessee Titans wide receiver Brandon Jones was arrested and charged with the misdemeanor of possession of an unlawful firearm at Metro Nashville Airport around 11:40 a.m. Friday.
After the gun was found in his baggage, Jones, 25, was issued the misdemeanor citation, then allowed to proceed aboard his flight to Arizona.
“A routine screening found a .32 caliber handgun in the baggage, and the incident was handled in the normal manner. After he was charged, Mr. Jones was allowed to board his flight,” said Mary Margaret Miller of the Nashville
Airport Authority. Miller was filling in as spokesman for director of corporate communications Emily Richard, who was unavailable for comment.
Jones issued the following statement through the office of his agent Craig Domann, saying the gun was in his bag from when he was target shooting.
“Today I was cited for carrying a handgun when going through security at Nashville International Airport," Jones said. “Obviously I did not know I was carrying my gun. This morning I grabbed a bag and placed my clothing in the bag, then rushed to the airport. I had forgotten that the last time I had used the bag was when I went target shooting.
“I fully cooperated with authorities who confiscated the handgun at the security gate. I have a license for the handgun and a permit for carrying one. Realizing that I was not intentionally carrying the handgun nor did I have any intention of harming anyone, I was allowed to board my airplane and continue my travels.
”I want to apologize for any embarrassment this might cause my family, the Titans organization or my teammates.”
A Titans spokesman said the club was aware of the matter, but declined comment.
Jones was a third-round draft choice of the Titans in 2005 out of the University of Oklahoma.
ROSTER MOVE: The Titans signed guard Isaac Snell on Friday and waived linebacker Matt Muncy to make room.
Snell had spent time on the Titans practice squad before the Denver Broncos signed him to their active roster last season. He was waived last month by the Broncos.