Police: Bills LB Bradham facing marijuana charge after traffic stop in western New York

PITTSFORD, N.Y. – Buffalo Bills linebacker Nigel Bradham said Tuesday he doesn’t want to be a distraction to the team after police said they ticketed him for marijuana possession during a weekend traffic stop.

“It’s just a legal issue,” Bradham said while at training camp in Pittsford. “I made a mistake, that’s it.”

He said he anticipates some sort of action from the team and National Football League but doesn’t know yet what that will be.

The 23-year-old starter was given an appearance ticket for unlawful possession of marijuana after he was stopped at about 2 a.m. Saturday and an officer smelled marijuana, town of Tonawanda Police Lt. Nicholas Bado said. Bradham turned over a baggy containing a small amount of the drug. There was no indication he had been using it while driving, Bado said.

Bills general manager Doug Whaley said the incident amounted to a violation of the personal conduct rule and would be addressed by the National Football League.

“It’s under review as we speak,” he said Tuesday.

Bradham was drafted in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft out of Florida State. He started 11 games last season, making 57 tackles, and is expected to have a significant role in Buffalo’s new defensive scheme. He is Buffalo’s starting weak side linebacker and is known for his range and speed.

“I have to abide by the rules and I know that,” Bradham said. “It was a bad decision.”

In addition to marijuana possession, Bradham also was cited for having the windows of his 2008 Range Rover tinted too dark. He’s scheduled to appear in town court Sept. 11.