GIANTS TACKLE HAMILTON ARRESTED

FORT LEE, N.J. (AP)--New York Giants defensive tackle Keith Hamilton faces
drug and motor vehicle charges following his arrest early Monday on the
George Washington Bridge.

Port Authority police said the 27-year-old lineman was driving 71 mph in a
45 mph zone when he was stopped about 1:30 a.m. Hamilton had a small bag of
marijuana and a pipe used for smoking the drug, police said.

Hamilton was charged with possession of marijuana, driving under the
influence of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug
paraphernalia, and several motor vehicle violations, Port Authority
spokesman Greg Trevor said.

Hamilton, who is paid about $2.3 million a year, was not carrying a
driver's license or insurance, Trevor said.

Hamilton was taken to Port Authority Police headquarters in Fort Lee, where
he was processed and later released after posting $750 bail, Trevor said.
He is scheduled to appear in Fort Lee Municipal Court on Dec. 15.

In a written statement, the Giants said ``disciplinary authority for such
matters rests with the commissioner.''

``This matter is now in the hands of the judicial system and is covered
under the National Football League's Collective Bargaining Agreement, and
more specifically by the league's policy and program for substances of
abuse, which the Giants strongly support,'' the statement said.

Because a guilty finding would be his first drug offense, Hamilton won't be
suspended by the league.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski