Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Senquez Golson had an eventful Wednesday in the state of Alabama that included him learning a valuable lesson.
Golson, the Steelers former second-round draft pick out of Mississippi, was reportedly briefly detained Wednesday at Mobile Regional Airport after a handgun and ammunition were found in his carry-on bag, according to Creg Stephenson of AL.com. Golson, who now faces a a hefty fine from the TSA as a result of Wednesday’s incident, explained what happened and why he had the gun in his possession.
“It was just an honest mistake,” Golson said, according to Stephenson. “… We had an event at the club over the weekend, and things get kind of wild. I always keep my protection on me, which is completely legal. (The gun) is in my name and everything. I just forgot it was in my bag.
“My heart just kind of dropped when they found it. I was like ‘what in the world was I thinking?'”
Golson reportedly told AL.com he is an investor in a Gulfport, Miss., nightclub called Club Thirty IV, and had the gun in his bag for personal protection when on site at the club over the weekend. He went on to say he simply forgot it was there before heading to the airport.
According to the latest report, Golson was allowed to board his flight after the gun and ammunition was confiscated by TSA and held for him until he returns to the area. Golson, who now reportedly faces a $5000-$10,000 fine, was headed to Pittsburgh via a short trip in Atlanta to take part in the team’s offseason program which will be getting underway after the draft and he’s already talked briefly to the team about Wednesday’s incident.
“I actually talked to one of my coaches while I was going through the process,” Golson said. “But when I get back to Pittsburgh I’m sure I’ll have to explain it in more detail, what happened.”
Golson also reportedly that he has been cleared 100 percent by doctors to participate in team activities after sitting out last season with a foot injury that he suffered during training camp. The cornerback also missed his entire rookie season with a shoulder injury that required surgery.
As Stephenson pointed out in his report, the TSA’s website indicates that airline passengers are allowed to transport unloaded firearms in their checked luggage, as long as they are in locked, hard-sided containers and declared to agents prior to departure.
