Browns tackle Shaun Rogers asks court to charge him with concealed weapon count or release him

Browns nose tackle Shaun Rogers seeks jail release

CLEVELAND — Facing legal consequences and possible NFL discipline, Cleveland Browns nose tackle Shaun Rogers asked a judge Friday either to charge him with trying to carry a loaded gun onto a plane or to release him from jail.

Rogers spent a night in jail and remained in custody a day after he was arrested at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Authorities say a .45-caliber handgun was found in his carry-on luggage at a security checkpoint. He was arrested “without incident,” police said.

Attorney Patrick D’Angelo filed a petition Friday on Rogers’ behalf ahead of a hearing scheduled in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. D’Angelo fears Rogers will be held without charges over the weekend because the prosecutor’s office is closed in observance of Easter.

Rogers, 31, is being held without bond after being booked on allegations of carrying a concealed weapon, a third-degree felony that under Ohio law carries a penalty of probation to five years in prison. He could also face federal charges.

After participating in the Browns’ voluntary off-season program, Rogers was on his way back home to Houston when he was stopped with the weapon.

Rogers’ agent, Kennard McGuire, said his client made a mistake he deeply regrets.

“Shaun is from a tremendous family that knows right from wrong,” McGuire said in a phone interview. “He is completely remorseful and sorry. While he does have a permit to carry a weapon, carrying it into the airport was an unintentional mistake. He will fully cooperate with all the authorities.”

The arrest could put Rogers’ future with the Browns in jeopardy. Team president Mike Holmgren issued a statement Thursday saying that it was aware of “what transpired with Shaun Rogers” and that the club would reserve comment “until the legal process has taken its course.”

Even if he is not convicted, Rogers could face suspension from the league for violating its strict personal-conduct policy for players. He was suspended for four games in 2006 while with Detroit for violating the substance-abuse policy.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Rogers, who missed Cleveland’s final five games last season with a broken leg, has been the subject of previous trade rumors.

The 6-foot-4, 350-pound Rogers is arguably the Browns’ best player. He was selected to the Pro Bowl after his first season with Cleveland, which acquired him in a 2008 trade with the Lions. He is signed through 2013.