The sad descent of Titus Young, a once-exciting wide receiver prospect for the Detroit Lions has reached a new nadir. A bench warrant has been issued for Young's arrest after a fourth consecutive missed court appearance.
Since May, Young has had a slew of legal missteps and been arrested multiple times, including twice in one day. On May 4th, Young was arrested for shoplifting from a gas station convenience store.
The next day, Young was pulled over and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. After being booked and released, he was arrested again later in the day for sneaking into an impound lot and trying to retrieve his confiscated car.
He wasn't finished. Five days later he was arrested again for breaking into someone's home, then violently resisting arrest. His problems have been so bad that his family refused to pony up his bail, fearful that he'd endanger himself further or those around him.
In the following two months, he has repeatedly missed court appearances only to have his representation get the absences excused due to psychiatric treatment. The most recent absence, his fourth, proved to be the straw that broke the camel's back.
Young has a history of trouble that stretches before entering the NFL. He was known as a showboat and trash talker in high school, and was suspended by his head coach Chris Peterson during his sophomore season at Boise State. In the NFL he drew Jim Schwartz's ire by complaining about his role, and intentionally lining up incorrectly in protest. He also once sucker punched a teammate, Louis Delmas, in practice.
His problems with the Lions forced them to release him; he was then picked up by the St. Louis Rams. Quickly after signing him, an incident forced St. Louis' hand as well. After appearing unfocused and bizarrely requesting a switch to defensive back, Young did not have his ID on him before boarding a plane. When told he couldn't get on, he threw a tantrum.
"It was a big scene there at the airport," his agent Mike Ornstein said. "They [the Rams] could see there was something wrong then. If he had gone down there and been his normal self, he'd still be there."
Young's family believes the issues are related to head injuries. His father says Titus suffers from a disorder caused by compression of the skull due to concussions. He has also reported memory loss, being unable to recall winning his high school team's MVP award, or giving an acceptance speech.
He has also struggled to remember Jason Robinson, once a close friend and roommate at Boise State.
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