By now, I’m sure you have heard the story.

New York Jets Pro Bowl wide receiver Braylon Edwards was arrested and charged for Driving While Intoxicated yesterday morning for blowing nearly two times the legal limit.

Like many, news that a professional athlete had gotten in trouble with the law does not really surprise me anymore (especially a player from Michigan, go Buckeyes).

From Pittsburg Steelers quarterback Ben

Roetlhisberger having fun in public bathrooms, to Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick taking Bob Barkers message of animal control to a whole new level, each year we kind of expect these guys to screw up.

One of the troubling things about this story is, according to Chris Mortensen of ESPN, the Jets introduced a car service to players

last week.

We are not talking about the beat up cabs or the lame cab buses one might see in downtown Chicago.

The program, called the Player Protect Program, gives players a choice from Luxury SUVs, Mercedes Sprinter limos and executive limo vans.

The drivers are all former police officers, who are all licensed to carry weapons to protect the players.

Need something to do while your driving in style; all the cars are equipped with satellite TVs and DVD players.

Best of all, the Jets organization takes care of all the expenses. That’s right it’s free.

The service runs 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

Not only would I take advantage of this service while hammered, I would probably just drive around all day.

I’m pretty sure (like about 200 percent sure) many Eastern students do not have the same options as professional football players.

That does not make drinking and driving any less stupid in Charleston.

Many people will comment on how much of a moron he was that night. Those same people might turn a blind eye when a friend does the same thing.

We do not have a free car option service to pick us up, but we do have a pair of legs.

One of the best things about Eastern is how small the campus is.

You can get about anywhere you want to, from the farthest off-campus house to Carman Hall, in about 20 minutes.

Yet each week, the blotter mentions an Eastern student who decided to get behind the wheel of the car after knocking back a few too many alcoholic beverages.

Many more students probably do it each week, but just because you did not get caught does not make it right.

We will all discuss how stupid Edwards was for weeks, as he will probably lose millions of dollars and serve a harsh suspension for his actions.

We will question his decision-making and will wonder why two teammates, who were in the car with him, did not take his keys.

Sure if an Eastern student gets a DWI or a DUI, they will not be mentioned on ESPN and will not lose millions. We will not be scrutinized columnists and used as an example.

However an Eastern student will lose a couple of thousand dollars, their driver’s license and even more important, possibly lose their life.

Dan Cusack is a senior journalism major. He can be reached at 581-7942 or

[email protected].