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Posted at 6:09 a.m., Thursday, September 6, 2007

NFL: Browns CB pleads not guilty in airport incident

By M.R. KROPKO
Associated Press Writer

CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns cornerback Leigh Bodden pleaded not guilty today to misdemeanor charges of aggravated disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Police said he drove in reverse down a one-way street outside the city's main airport Wednesday and became verbally abusive. He was released early Thursday on a $1,000 bond.

The charges carry a sentence of up to six months in jail.

Bodden, 25, refused to stop the vehicle when initially approached by an officer at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, said police Lt. Thomas Stacho. Bodden eventually pulled the vehicle to a curb, got out and walked toward an airport entrance.

Police said Bodden indicated he was there to pick someone up, and he became verbally abusive with the officer, who called for police backup.

Responding officers instructed Bodden to place his hands on a wall, which he did, but the situation became tense when the player began to resist officers trying to place handcuffs on him, Stacho said.

Bodden later complied with police and was taken to a city jail. He also faces traffic charges of failing to produce a driver's license and driving the wrong way on a one-way street, police said.

Bodden's attorney, Matthew Selby, entered the not guilty plea in Cleveland Municipal Court. Selby advised Bodden not to appear because of the presence of television news cameras.

"He's looking forward to his day in court to tell his side of the story," Selby said.

Bodden's next court appearance was set for Sept. 25.

Browns spokesman Bill Bonsiewicz said the team was aware of the arrest and still was gathering information. The team opens the season Sunday at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Bodden was limited to nine starts last season because of ankle problems and had offseason ankle surgery. He signed with the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2003, and signed a four-year contract extension in 2005.