PANTHERS' MUHAMMAD ARRESTED

LAURINBURG, N.C. (AP) - Carolina Panthers wide receiver Muhsin
Muhammad was arrested over the weekend on misdemeanor weapon and drug
charges after a traffic stop for speeding.

Muhammad was stopped Sunday in Scotland County, about 90 miles east
of Charlotte, for driving 61 mph in a 45 mph zone.

State trooper C.L. Pridgen said Tuesday that Muhammad told him there
were two guns in the car and a search revealed two 9 mm handguns and
marijuana. One of the guns was hidden under the seat and another in a
winter hat in the front seat, the trooper said.

``He told me there were guns in there, which was the right thing to
do,'' Pridgen said. ``But under the law, you have to have then in
plain sight. He did not.''

Muhammad, who also was cited for speeding, was released at the scene.
If convicted, Muhammad could be suspended from the NFL. He has a
March 28 court date.

In a statement released by the Panthers on Tuesday night, Muhammad
apologized for his arrest.

``I want to apologize to those who I have let down, especially the
fans who have supported me,'' he said. ``This has been a difficult
period for me, but that does not excuse the situation that occurred.
My goal is to move forward and regain the trust that has been lost.''

The Panthers said they were looking into the arrest.

This is Muhammad's second arrest on drug and weapon charges. As a
student at Michigan State in 1993, he was pulled over by campus
police for having a broken side mirror.

A search found a loaded .38-caliber gun in the glove compartment -
Muhammad said he had been hunting squirrels. But the arrest came just
months after Muhammad was placed on probation for possession of
marijuana and he spent 90 days in jail for violating his probation.

Muhammad led the NFL in receptions a year ago, but missed five games
this season due to injury. He had just 50 receptions and only one
touchdown.