The Arizona Cardinals have suspended general manager Steve Keim for five weeks and fined him $200,000 after he pleaded guilty to a DUI. Ian Rapoport shared the news of the suspension on Twitter.
#AZCardinals GM Steve Keim, who recently pleaded guilty to extreme DUI in court, is being suspended for five weeks and fined $200,000 which will be donated to MADD Arizona.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 17, 2018
Rapoport also shared a statement Keim released in response to his suspension.
#AZCardinals GM Steve Keim says he fully accepts the punishment just handed down. He calls his behavior “inexcusable.” And for a GM, a suspension during the preseason is more significant than during the season. His duties will be divided among the staff. pic.twitter.com/rKlSaVy2n5
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 17, 2018
The Cardinals released their own statement pertaining to the incident.
“As stated at the time of the incident, this behavior is indefensible and completely unacceptable. While Steve has accepted full accountability and responsibility for his actions, that does not diminish their gravity nor the severity of the consequences that result from them. “
The blood alcohol content (BAC) of Keim was revealed to be .193. The legal BAC limit is .08.
Keim’s suspension means that he will not be allowed to enter into any of the team’s facilities or have any contact with the team. The Cardinals have also stated that Keim will not return to the team until he has finished counseling, an evaluation, and a DUI education course.
Keim is not the first executive to have been suspended for a DUI. In 2013, the Denver Broncos suspended Tom Heckert, the team’s director of pro personnel, for a month after he was charged with a DUI.
The Cardinals are in rebuild mode and having your general manager act in such a way does not help things. The Cardinals selected Josh Rosen in the 2018 NFL Draft and he seems to be ready to take over the starting spot for the team. If Keim can keep his drinking to a reasonable level, then he can focus his efforts on rebuilding the team and getting back to the playoffs.
