Banks’ Arrest Complicates Possible Return to Chargers

SAN DIEGO — Harold Daniels, agent for free-agent linebacker Chip Banks, said Saturday that Banks might reconsider reporting to the Chargers before the end of the season.

But others--particularly NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle--might have a say about whether Banks will be allowed to play after his arrest in Atlanta Friday night on suspicion of drug possession.

Banks, the Chargers’ second-leading tackler in 1987, was released early Friday morning after posting a $3,600 bond. Atlanta police say they found half an ounce of marijuana and four packets of crack cocaine in Banks’ Mercedes during a routine roadblock at about 9:30 p.m. (PDT) Friday night.

Banks was charged with possession of marijuana and cocaine and driving without a license, police said. A court appearance was scheduled for Nov. 2.

After a Saturday morning meeting with Banks, Daniels said, “I asked him to let me know exactly what went on (Friday) night. He said he was driving, and he had a friend with him who had marijuana. They ran into a roadblock, and a policeman smelled the marijuana, made them get out of the car and then searched the car.”

Daniels said Banks denied that there was any cocaine in the car.

“I asked Chip, ‘Are you telling me all of the facts?’ ” Daniels said. “He assured me nothing else was in the car. All I can do is go by his word.”

Repeated efforts to reach Banks Saturday were unsuccessful.

Banks was reportedly close to signing a 5-year, $4.8 million contract just before the start of training camp July 22, but he refused to report until he received a substantial bonus, said to be $300,000. Charger owner Alex Spanos subsequently issued an ultimatum and, when Banks still did not report, withdrew the offer.

Daniels had flown into Atlanta Friday in an attempt to persuade Banks to join the team; he said Banks seemed to be leaning that way after Saturday’s meeting.

“He said, ‘If I had been in San Diego, none of this would have happened,’ ” Daniels said. “I said, ‘That’s where you should be, fella.’

“But now he’s in over his head. I’m not sure what the outcome will be now. Will he have a choice? What will Rozelle say? I’m not sure it’s as cut and dried now as it was.”

The NFL has suspended a number of players for 30 days this season because of drug test failures. None of the suspensions were because of arrests for drug possession.

Asked what the NFL might do if Banks and the Chargers were to reach an agreement, Joe Browne, the league’s director of communications, said: “We’ll review the circumstances and make a decision at the appropriate time.” That time would be, Browne said, “if (Banks) decides to return.”

The Chargers also are unsure where they stand with Banks.

“We just don’t know all the facts,” said Steve Ortmayer, the Chargers’ director of football operations. “I’ve heard several different stories. We want to help Chip.”

Ortmayer said he spoke with Daniels by phone Saturday. “I didn’t get any particular indication from Harold whether he had the situation under control.”

Asked what kind of shape Banks might be in, mentally and physically, Daniels said, “Right now, he said he just wants to get his mind cleared up.”

Staff writer Brian Hewitt contributed to this story.