Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle has gone from underwear thief to underwear spokesman in less than a week.
The Cowboys running back was caught shoplifting underwear and a tester bottle of cologne at a department store in a suburban Dallas mall on Monday. He was charged with Class B misdemeanour theft of $50 to $500, according to Dallas-area police, and released on bond Tuesday.
The embarrassing arrest also led to a fine of nearly $30,000 imposed by the Cowboys against Randle.
Los Angeles based MeUndies is now reportedly partnering with Randle according to ESPN, in a deal that will offset part of Randle’s fine and will see the NFL player donate up to $15,000 worth of underwear and basic clothing to children’s charity.
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Dan King, head of marketing and business development for MeUndies, told ESPN the partnership will also see Randle make a series of public appearances to talk to students about learning from their mistakes.
“Joseph felt the need to turn a negative situation into a positive and teamed up with MeUndies to give back to his community and help families in need,” King told ESPN. “As a young company, MeUndies is faced with difficult challenges all the time…How you learn from your mistakes fast is how you find success in our business and those lessons are applicable in all walks of life.”
According to the arrest report the 22-year-old Randle was caught stealing a tester bottle of Gucci cologne and a two pack of Polo underwear. Randle, a fifth-round draft pick in 2013, signed a four-year contract worth $2.349 million with the Cowboys and a signing bonus of nearly $200,000.
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“There is no excuse for my mistake last week, and I take full responsibility for my actions,” Randle told ESPN. “I let down my coaches, teammates, and family.”
Despite being charged by police and fined by his team, Randle wasn’t suspended by the NFL and started Sunday for the Cowboys against the New York Giants.
*With files from the Associated Press
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