The Associated Press
IRVING, Texas Ä Erik Williams, a star offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys, faces sexual assault charges after a 17-year-old girl accused him of attacking her early yesterday.
Dallas Police Sgt. Jim Chandler said Williams was taken into custody after police responded to a telephone request for help by the girl from Williams' north Dallas home. He was later released on bond.
Chandler said officers went to the residence and asked for the girl by her first name. Williams told officers she was not there and there was no disturbance.
As officers returned to their patrol car, they said they heard a sound and saw the girl looking out a window. Officers then arrested Williams and another man.
''She said that she had known Williams for about four months and that he picked her up at her apartment and took her back to his house Ä she went willingly,'' Chandler said. ''She told them the story that she had been forced, with verbal threats, to engage in sexual intercourse with both men.''
Also arrested was Roderick Carson of Madison, Wis. Williams' attorney, Donald Godwin, said Williams identified Carson as a longtime friend and a high school football coach.
Sources at Central State of Ohio said Carson played football there with Williams, a 6-foot-6, 324-pound Pro Bowl player in his fourth year with the Cowboys.
Both were released after posting $2,500 bond at separate hearings before Judge Charles McClure. Williams' release was delayed until he cleared up outstanding warrants stemming from traffic citations accrued in Addison, a Dallas suburb.
Williams and Carson, both 26, spent yesterday morning at the Dallas County jail while investigators interviewed the girl.
''I have visited briefly with Erik and I'm in contact with the district attorney's office,'' Godwin said. ''We are awaiting word from them on what they're going to do.
''He appears to be in good spirits. He's very remorseful over having been arrested. He doesn't understand what the arrest was for.''
Said Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple: ''We're aware of the situation. We are in the information gathering process right now. We won't have any comment until we have further information.''
Williams was seriously injured Oct. 24 when his car slammed into a ramp on Interstate 635. He had reconstructive surgery on his right knee and missed the rest of the season.
The accident followed an evening of celebrating with teammates after a victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
He pleaded no contest to misdemeanor drunken driving and received two years' probation.
Teammate Larry Brown said he didn't think his friend was capable of committing the alleged act, though he worried the past publicity will skew the public view this time.
''Everybody ridiculed him for (the accident),'' Brown said. ''Erik is a good person, and he hasn't had the opportunity to say anything.''
Cowboys offensive lineman Nate Newton lent support to Williams.
''All I know is that Eric's a good man and the whole thing isn't as bad as some of the people are saying it is,'' Newton said. ''Hey Eric, we love you, baby.''
Another offensive lineman, Robert Jones, says the arrest couldn't have come at a worse time for Williams.
''Unfortunate timing for it to happen right now, since he's rehabbing his knee and trying to make a comeback,'' Jones said. ''He's been doing very well at it.''
The arrest jeopardizes Williams' probation, according to Dallas County Criminal Court Judge Phil Barker, who presided over Williams' drunken driving conviction.
Williams could face a hearing that could force him to complete his term at the county jail.
Williams said last year the accident brought drastic changes in his lifestyle.
''I've slowed down,'' he said. ''Some of the things I used to do, I don't do anymore. I'd rather not say what. This was a lesson, and it wasn't only a lesson for me. It should be a lesson for other NFL players and my teammates as well.''