Former National Football League running back Warren...

Former National Football League running back Warren McVea was jailed on a misdemeanor theft charge in Houston over the Christmas holiday after being turned in by a bonding company, sheriff’s department authorities said.

Harris County Court-at-Law Judge Don Hendrix ordered McVea’s $800 bond forfeited and issued an arrest warrant after McVea failed for a third time to appear at an arraignment. McVea, who was jailed Tuesday, is accused of theft after allegedly trying to steal 42 chicken dinners from a Houston fast food restaurant Nov. 19, Sheriff’s Lt. George Adams said.

McVea, 39, was posing as Houston Oiler wide receiver Tim Smith and told the restaurant operator that the food was for needy children, according to Harris County assistant district attorney Vic Wisner. McVea played for the University of Houston from 1965 to 1967, then professionally with the Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Oilers.