Todd Downing addressed the media in the wake of his DUI arrest.
The Titans’ offensive coordinator was arrested in Nashville early Friday morning, shortly after the team plane landed back home following an upset win over the Green Bay Packers, and charged with driving under the influence.
“I’d like to acknowledge how serious this situation is,” Downing told reporters on Wednesday. “I understand how sensitive and troubling a subject this is, and I’m not naive to how much pain there may be for some people involved in similar situations.
“I’ve put my family through some things they don’t deserve. I have an amazing wife and an amazing son that love me unconditionally, and I don’t want them to have to endure anything more than what I’ve brought on.”
Last week, after this incident, and after Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke had previously been seen on social media drinking beers on the team plane, the NFL circulated a memo reminding franchises that alcohol is barred from team facilities and planes.
Earlier this month, former Chiefs assistant Britt Reid — the son of head coach Andy Reid — was sentenced to three years in prison for a DWI car accident that severely injured a young girl. Reid had been drinking at the Chiefs’ facility.
Titans head coach Mike Vrabel has declined to say whether Downing was drinking on the team plane.
Titans OC Todd Downing addressed the media in wake of his DUI arrest. Getty Images“It’s devastating that my actions, or anything that I’m involved with, could ever bring negative attention or distractions to this organization, to the ownership, Miss Amy [Adams Strunk], and to the front office and obviously Coach Vrabel,” Downing said.
“I believe in myself as a man and I believe that I will answer the bell to lead this offense going forward. I thank Coach Vrabel and [GM] Jon Robinson and Miss Amy for the opportunity to lead this offense going into this weekend. These guys in the locker room deserve for me to put my best efforts forth in that.”
He declined to comment further on the matter.
“Because of the nature of the situation, I know there are a lot of questions, I know people are looking for details and answers,” Downing said. “Unfortunately, because of the situation, I’m not able discuss quite a bit of that evening, but at the proper time, when appropriate, I will answer any questions that I can.”
