Dolphin Lineman Makes Up Kidnaping Story

Nose tackle Alfred Oglesby of the Miami Dolphins admitted Thursday that he had made up a story about being kidnaped so he could escape punishment for breaking curfew and missing practice.

Oglesby at first reported that he missed Thursday’s practice because he was kidnaped late Wednesday by two armed men who stole the car he was driving and abandoned him in the Everglades. He said he had to walk most of the way back to the Dolphins’ training camp.

After a police interview, however, Oglesby, 25, said he told that story in hopes of avoiding punishment from Coach Don Shula.

“I’m sorry about the first story,” he said. “I was a little afraid. I didn’t know what to tell Coach Shula. I really panicked. I didn’t want to lose my job.”

Shula said he has not yet decided how to punish Oglesby.

Police searched for Oglesby Wednesday night and Thursday after teammate Richmond Webb reported him missing in Webb’s car. Officers found the 1990 BMW Thursday in a crime-ridden area of the city.

Oglesby originally told Shula he was abducted at about 10:30 Wednesday night as he left a bar.

“That wasn’t what happened,” Oglesby later admitted.

Oglesby said he actually had a few drinks at a bar and later fell asleep at a friend’s apartment.