Two-time NBA champion Rajon Rondo made headlines recently as he was arrested by Indiana police during a traffic stop last January. Over the weekend, TMZ got hold of the police body cam footage and released it online.
The four-and-a-half-minute video showed police pulling over Rondo's black Tesla after a caller reported that it was "travelling recklessly" on I-65 South between Indianapolis and Kentucky. Instead of being just a routine traffic stop, Rondo was arrested and charged with three offenses. Worse, he had one of his two kids with him in the car, and that caused a violent reaction from sports journalist Jason Whitlock .
"The cop asked Rondo if there was anything illegal in the car. Rondo confessed marijuana, and then the cop said I smelled it. Glad Rondo remained calm. But driving 100, no license plate, vaping weed, with a gun in your car and your CHILD. It's just dumb. Irresponsible. Retarded." wrote Whitlock on X.
Rajon Jr. was with him during the arrest
Although it was reported last January that Rondo was with his child at the time of his arrest, it was only presumed that Rajon was with his kid, and we did not know which one. Based on the video, it was revealed that he was traveling with Rajon Jr. in the backseat of the vehicle.
Rajon Jr. is the same kid who became viral for celebrating with his dad on the court after the Lakers won the 2020 NBA championship in the Orlando Bubble. The young Rondo was caught on cameras sipping what looked like champagne from a bottle. It turned out that it was just Martinelli's sparkling apple cider , a non-alcoholic drink, that he was enjoying.
He recently made news after video highlights of his AAU games for team Rondo Elite surfaced online via Ballislife. It even drew praise from LeBron James, who called Rondo Jr. a hooper . Unfortunately, this latest video of him and his dad isn't as exciting. Neither was it a good experience as a child.
Rondo avoided jail time
Meanwhile, Rajon Sr. reached a plea deal with prosecutors last month. Under the agreement, the four-time NBA All-Star pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of unlawful carrying of a handgun. In exchange, the two other charges were dropped.
According to TMZ , Rondo was sentenced to 180 days in jail. However, the sentence was suspended, and the former Kentucky Wildcat will instead serve probation, provided that he does not get into legal trouble again.
The 38-year-old played nine seasons in Boston before bouncing around the league late in his career. He was known as one of the most intelligent point guards of his time, but there was nothing smart about taking his young kid on a high-speed ride while vaping weed.
Related: "I did my stuff behind closed doors" - How Rajon Rondo blossomed into a leader on the Boston Celtics
Local News
