NBA Hall of Famer and Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce was arrested late Tuesday on suspicion of DUI in Los Angeles. The California Highway Patrol responded to a multi-vehicle accident on the northbound 101 Freeway near Lankershim Boulevard, where Pierce was found asleep behind the wheel of a Range Rover after the lanes reopened.
The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. when officers noticed Pierce’s vehicle stopped in the traffic lanes just south of the crash site. Upon approaching the car, police found the 47-year-old basketball legend asleep behind the wheel and showing signs of alcohol impairment. A DUI investigation was launched, leading to Pierce’s arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence. He was later cited and released, pending a review by the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office.
Paul Pierce Explains His Side Through An Instagram Post
Paul Pierce addressed his recent DUI arrest on Instagram Threads, sharing his experience with fans and shedding light on the circumstances. He posted a photo from that night, explicitly stating he had never experienced such persistent traffic, and attributed his falling asleep to age and fatigue rather than alcohol impairment.
Pierce captioned the Instagram thread with the following message:
“Imagine being stuck in stand still traffic for 45 mins and falling asleep 🤦🏾♂️ I took this picture that night because I never been in stand still traffic for this long. I’m old, I’m tired, and I fell asleep 🤷🏾♂️I’m good y’all thanks for the love.”
As stated earlier, the CHP responded to the initial multi-car crash by shutting down several lanes on the freeway for about an hour. After reopening the lanes, authorities found Pierce’s Range Rover still idling south of the crash scene, prompting officers to investigate further.
However, Pierce showed indicators of possible alcohol impairment, leading to a misdemeanor DUI arrest that does not yet constitute a conviction. He was later released, and the case awaits review by city attorneys.
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Famously known as ‘The Truth’, he spent 15 seasons with the Boston Celtics, leading the team to their 17th NBA title and earning Finals MVP in 2008 before stints with the Nets, Wizards, and Clippers. Moreover, he entered the Hall of Fame in 2021 and has held various analyst roles since retiring in 2017.
However, Pierce’s departure from ESPN in 2021 remains one of the most discussed moments in sports broadcasting history. After a distinguished 19-year NBA career, Pierce transitioned into media, joining ESPN as an analyst in 2017. His time with the network was initially promising, with appearances on The Jump and NBA Countdown. However, everything changed in April 2021 when a viral Instagram Live video led to his abrupt exit.
When Paul Pierce’s Instagram Post Took His ESPN Position
In the footage, Pierce hosted a house party where he was seen smoking, drinking, and surrounded by scantily clad dancers. The video, recorded during a game night celebrating his friend’s birthday, showed Pierce playing cards, and one clip captured him receiving a massage. The scene quickly circulated across social media platforms, shocking viewers and drawing criticism from ESPN executives.
ESPN’s parent company, Disney, enforces strict morals clauses in its contracts, aimed at maintaining a family-friendly image. After reviewing the viral footage, the network concluded that Pierce’s actions violated this clause, citing immorality.
ESPN then swiftly released Pierce from his role, bringing to an end his four-year tenure. However, Pierce’s response was straightforward. The Celtics legend emphasized that he was enjoying himself at a private gathering and did not believe he did anything illegal or damaging.
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Pierce later reflected on the incident in interviews and podcasts, questioning why the situation was blown out of proportion. During an episode of Stars on Mars, he dismissed the controversy, claiming it was overblown. “It was a big whole controversy,” he said. “It wasn’t illegal, just girls.” He maintained that his actions were simply a means of entertainment and not deserving of termination.
In subsequent interviews, Pierce clarified that he was caught up in the moment. On the I Am Athlete podcast, he explained that he was unsure why he went live that night, asserting he was having fun and never intended to embarrass himself or the network. “I got fired for what? I got fired for having some entertainment,” Pierce lamented.
