Troubled Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib is facing the Texas justice system later this month regarding an incident last spring that ended up with a grand jury indictment and a charge of felony assault with a deadly weapon. Today the Tampa Tribune reported Talib now faces a lawsuit, stemming from a traffic accident that occurred in 2010 in which the plaintiff claims Talib “threatened to put a cap in (her).”

Betty Atwood, who filed the lawsuit on March 2, said she was driving eastbound on Spruce Street near the intersection of Westshore Boulevard on Dec. 9, 2010 when Talib "negligently caused them to collide," this according to the suit filed with the Civil Division of Hillsborough County's 13th Circuit Court.

Atwood claims in the suit that before police arrived, Talib verbally threatened her. Atwood is asking Talib for $15,000, claiming she suffered physical injuries from the crash as well as depression, anxiety, and "severe emotional distress" from Talib's threat.

Talib has been no stranger to trouble since his arrival since entering the NFL. In July 2008, Talib was involved in a fight with teammate Cory Boyd at the NFL's Rookie Symposium and later that year, during an altercation with an offensive lineman, Talib inadvertently struck teammate Torrie Cox in the face with his helmet.

Then in August 2009, Talib was arrested after an incident involving a cab driver while riding from a St. Petersburg club to a Tampa hotel. The driver claimed Talib punched him as the cab driver was driving. Talib pleaded not guilty, and the case was dismissed after he entered a pretrial diversion program and took anger management classes.

Talib was suspended one game without pay by the NFL for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

In Indianapolis two weeks ago new Bucs head coach Greg Schiano hinted that Talib would get a clean state. While the alleged incident took place nearly two years ago, there remains a chance that the Buccaneers could cut ties with their top defensive back if the allegations somehow were to be proven true, or if Talib is found guilty later this month in Texas.

Talib's attorney released this statement this evening regarding the incident:

Statement on Behalf of Aqib Talib

Fifteen months ago, on December 9, 2010, Aqib Talib was involved in a very minor traffic accident involving Betty Atwood.  Ms. Atwood placed a 911 call to report the accident, and was also interviewed by police at the scene of the accident.  

At no time during the 15 months since the accident has Ms. Atwood ever reported this alleged statement to the police.  Further, we have witness statements confirming that Aqib never made a statement of this nature toward Ms. Atwood.

Following the accident, Ms. Atwood discovered that Aqib played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  In order to leverage a substantial monetary settlement, she concocted a tale to increase her alleged damages.

Aqib is evaluating his legal options with respect to this false allegation. Aqib is confident that once all of the facts are known, this matter will be resolved favorably and in an expeditious fashion.

Given the sensitive nature of this matter, we cannot comment any further.

Jay K. Reisinger, Esquire
T.R. Unice, Esquire
Attorneys for Aqib Talib