Former Falcons Star Released From Jail

Former Atlanta Falcons star Jamal Anderson has been released from jail, after spending three weeks behind bars for violating his probation.

Anderson, whose post-NFL years have been checkered with often alcohol-related run-ins with law enforcement, was released from Gwinnett County Jail on Sunday, but taken directly to a Hall County detention center.

In Hall County, he was booked, then released on time-served.

According to the Gwinnett County Solicitor's office, Anderson was arrested on December 19.

The arrest came one week after Anderson was banned from a QuikTrip convenience store in Suwanee for allegedly exposing himself. Police said Anderson appeared to be under the influence of alcohol during that incident, but a clerk at the store asked that no charges be filed.

In August, Anderson, who lives in Suwanee, was arrested in Forsyth County for driving with a suspended license.

In January, Anderson pleaded guilty to DUI in Gwinnett County, avoiding jail time in a case in which he parked his vehicle on Interstate 85 and dozed off during rush-hour traffic.

Anderson, who popularized the “Dirty Bird” end zone celebration while helping lead the Falcons to Super Bowl XXXIII in 1999, received 12 months probation and was required to avoid drugs and alcohol.
His license was suspended at that time.

Anderson also was arrested for DUI in DeKalb County in 2012, although that charge was later reduced to reckless driving. And in 2009, he was charged with cocaine and marijuana possession after a police officer said he saw Anderson doing drugs at a bar in Buckhead.

Last month, Anderson's attorney told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that concussion traumas from his playing days may be a factor in his run-ins with the law.

Anderson was an All-Pro running back who helped popularize the "Dirty Bird" end zone celebration while helping lead the Falcons to Super Bowl XXXIII in 1999.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons