| Lewis reportedly spent less than two hours in jail Tuesday night. (Getty Images) |
Former Ravens running back Jamal Lewis was arrested on child abandonment charges in Clayton County, Georgia Tuesday night, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported. He was released early Wednesday morning. According to the arrest warrant obtained by the AJC, Lewis allegedly hadn't paid child support and hadn't had contact with his son for more than a year.
"We are just learning of this and the only information we have at this time is from the media report," Ravens senior vice president of public and community relations Kevin Byrne told the Baltimore Sun.
In a statement released to PFT Thursday, Lewis explained that his arrest "was the result of a misunderstanding rather than the result of me being an unfit father." He continued: "I am a responsible parent and have always provided for my children. That fact cannot be disputed. I have made mistakes in my life, but failing to care for my children is not one of them. I’m confident this matter will be resolved as the legal process plays out, and I will continue to work toward an arrangement within the court system that will allow me to effectively co-parent my son"
Lewis, who rushed for 7,801 yards during his six years in Baltimore -- including 2,066 yards in 2003 -- is scheduled to be inducted into the Ravens' Ring of Honor in late September. He was the team's first-round pick out of Tennessee in 2000. He spent the final three years of his NFL career with the Browns where he twice rushed for more than 1,000 yards.
In May, Lewis reportedly filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
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