


New Jets passing game coordinator Todd Downing said his family received a death threat in police video from his November DUI arrest.
In the body cam footage, obtained by TMZ, Downing admitted to drinking “a victory beer in Green Bay” before he was arrested for DUI following a “Thursday Night Football” win over the Packers on Nov. 17, 2022.
Downing — who police said was “hauling ass” and going “easily over 100 [mph]” in his black Mercedes — told the Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper that he was rushing to get home to his family because of a death threat.
After apologizing for speeding, Downing said, “We just landed, I’m with the Titans.
“I got a death threat tonight and the Franklin police are outside my house and I was trying to get home to my family.”
The officer said he noticed an odor of alcohol on Downing’s breath and slurred speech.
The 42-year-old coach said he had not been drinking, adding, “you can check with our security.”
Prior to a series of field sobriety tests — which were conducted on the side of the road, near a gas station — Downing then said he had “a victory beer in Green Bay.”
“I never meant to go reckless, I’m just worried about my family,” he said.
Downing was then put in handcuffs and placed under arrest for DUI.
“Here’s the deal, I think you’ve had entirely too much to drink tonight to be behind the wheel of a car,” the arresting officer said.
After he was put in the back of the police car, Downing reportedly made a call to a member of the Titans’ organization.
“Hey Jon, hey, man, I was rushing home and I got arrested for DUI,” Downing said.
“I was panicking because I was scared about my family, and I had a victory beer.”
Though not specified who was on the other end of the call, the Titans GM at the time was Jon Robinson.
The officer then asked the person on the phone about Downing’s family situation.
“There had been some social media stuff… he’s telling the truth about that,” the person said.
Downing then told the man on the phone that he would prefer breaking the news of his arrest to head coach Mike Vrabel himself, TMZ reported.
Although Downing asked for “grace,” in the situation, the arresting officer said, “That’s just not how we operate.”
Downing was then transported to a medical facility to get his blood drawn.
He was later booked at Williamson County Jail just after 4:30 a.m. and released a few hours later.
Downing was charged with speeding and driving under the influence.
In January, Downing served a 48-hour sentence in jail to close the case.
The coach was not immediately disciplined by the Titans, and he did not miss any games.
Downing joined Robert Saleh’s staff last month after the Titans fired him as their offensive coordinator in January.