CALLAWAY HAD GUN PART IN CAR
CLEVELAND» As Browns wide receiver Antonio Callaway stood by, a police officer said he “got real nervous” when he found bullets and a gun part while searching the rookie’s vehicle.
Callaway was cited for marijuana possession and driving with a suspended license after being stopped by Strongsville, Ohio, police early Sunday morning for failing to yield to oncoming traffic..
On Wednesday, the dash-camera video obtained by TMZ shows Callaway getting out of his car and being questioned by police after the ammunition and a “strap” for a handgun were found in the 23-year-old’s car.
A Browns spokesman said Callaway, a fourth-round pick who had numerous off-field problems while he was at Florida, traveled with the team for Thursday’s exhibition opener against the New York Giants.
Callaway had been scheduled to appear in court Thursday, but had his appearance moved to Aug. 23. He recently moved into the starting lineup after the Browns traded Corey Coleman to Buffalo. It’s still not known if Callaway will be disciplined by the team.
Callaway was pulled over at 2:59 a.m., and during the routine stop was asked to exit his vehicle after one of the officers smelled marijuana. In the video, Callaway says he has not been smoking and tells the officer his car had just been shipped from Florida.
Once he returns to his patrol car, one officer tells the other he got worried when he found the bullets.
“I got real nervous when I opened (the car) up and first thing right down by where the seats sit is the backstrap of a Glock, and then he’s got a bunch of spare single rounds sitting in the center console,” the unidentified officer said. “So I got real nervous when he’s standing back there and there’s no gun but there’s gun stuff everywhere.”
Callaway says he owned a gun, but that it was in Florida. The officer asks to pat him down to make sure he’s not carrying a weapon.
There was no mention of the ammunition or gun part in the police report. The AP has requested the dash-cam video.
Coach Hue Jackson said he only learned of Callaway’s situation on Tuesday and said he wanted to gather more information before commenting further.
“Obviously, the red flag is up,” Jackson said. “Let me work through it, see what it is and go from there.”
Callaway is already in Stage 1 of the NFL’s substance-abuse program after he provided a diluted urine sample at the league’s combine in February. He could be subject to a fine or discipline from the league for his latest transgression.
Niners to honor Clark with statue.
SANTA CLARA,
The 49ers will honor former tight end Dwight Clark with a seasonlong celebration of his life that will include unveiling a statue of “The Catch.”
Clark died in June at age 61. He suffered from ALS.
All 49ers players will wear 87 helmet decals throughout the season, and Levi’s Stadium field bunting will pay tribute to Clark during all 49ers games.
The statue outside of Levi’s Stadium will be revealed Oct. 21 when the 49ers host the Rams. The 350-pound statues of Clark and Joe Montana will be placed 23 yards apart — the distance covered on the famed winning play in the 1981 NFC championship game. The representation of Clark, with his hands outstretched, will extend 11 feet in the air.
During the game, an 87 marking will be in the end zone commemorating the location of “The Catch,” which actually came at Candlestick Park, the team’s previous home.
The Rams-49ers matchup will serve as the 49ers’ annual alumni game, with funds raised to support Clark’s charity of choice, the Golden Heart Fund. That fund was established in 2016 to support 49ers alumni in need of financial, medical, psychological or emotional support.
Panthers sign OL Larsen.
The Panthers signed offensive lineman Tyler Larsen to a two-year extension.
Larsen is now under contract through the 2020 season. Financial terms of the contract were not available Wednesday.
Larsen has played in 23 games with 15 starts over the last two seasons with Carolina, working at center and guard. He played in 14 games with 10 starts last season in place of injured center Ryan Kalil. The Panthers ranked fourth in the NFL in rushing, averaging 131.4 yards per game in 2017.
Larsen is viewed by coach Ron Rivera as the team’s long-term replacement for Kalil.