Mora issues an apology for remarks

Jim Mora insisted Friday that he was trying to be funny when he said he would leave Atlanta to coach the University of Washington football team.

Mora’s comments Thursday in an interview with Seattle radio station KJR received strong air play in Atlanta on Friday, a day before Mora’s Falcons play Dallas.

Mora, an alumnus of Washington, said he has much respect for Washington Coach Ty Willingham but said “if that job’s open, you’ll find me at the head of the line with my resume in hand ready to take that job.”

Mora, being interviewed by KJR’s Hugh Millen and Dave Mahler, was then asked, “If you’re available?”

Said Mora: “It doesn’t even matter if I’m available. ... I don’t care if we’re in the middle of a playoff run. I’m packing my stuff and coming back to Seattle.”

Mora issued a written statement Friday attempting to clarify the comments. Later, Mora told reporters his attempts at humor in the interview were not successful.

“Clearly I made a mistake in the way I came across,” Mora said. “My intent was sarcasm and wit with an old buddy I roomed with in college, Hugh Millen.

“I thought I was kidding but in listening to the replay it certainly didn’t sound like that. So I apologize. I certainly didn’t want to offend anyone in Atlanta here with the Falcons, Ty Willingham, or people in Seattle. It was just very poor judgment on my part and for that I apologize.”

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Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Quincy Carter was arrested on marijuana possession charges at the home of a woman who called police saying Carter had been “throwing things around.”

Carter was booked in lieu of $500 bond and was released, Irving police spokesman David Tull said. His bond was paid by Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist Randy Galloway.

Tull said a woman called police around 5:30 a.m. and said Carter was being disruptive. Police arrested Carter after finding him in possession of less than two ounces of marijuana, Tull said.

Carter was released by the Cowboys in 2004 amid numerous media reports that he failed a drug test. He was put in the NFL’s substance-abuse program and was later put in rehab while with the New York Jets.

Galloway said he didn’t see a conflict of interest in posting the bond because Carter is no longer playing and is now a private citizen.

“I’ve had a lot of fun with Quincy over the years, his problems and everything else,” Galloway said. “But it’s Christmas and Quincy Carter is in jail and I hate to see that happen. ... For him to be in the position today where he can’t post a $500 bond, there’s unfortunate problems in his life.”

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Chicago nose tackle Tank Johnson has found himself in his third legal entanglement in the last 18 months.

Johnson was charged with misdemeanor possession of firearms without proper identification after police searched his home.

Johnson will sit out Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay, a decision made by Coach Lovie Smith, who said it was not a disciplinary action because that would have to come from the NFL.

Johnson is scheduled for a court appearance Jan. 9, which would be several days before the NFC North champion Bears play their first postseason game.

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Olympic and world sprint champion Justin Gatlin worked out this week for the Arizona Cardinals, his second tryout for an NFL team.

Gatlin, who faces an eight-year ban from track and field after a positive drug test, has not played football since high school.

He worked out for the Houston Texans on Nov. 28.

The 24-year-old sprinter shares the world 100-meter record of 9.77 seconds, but that will be wiped off the books once his doping penalty becomes official. Gatlin tested positive for testosterone and other steroids at the Kansas Relays in April.

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Jacksonville running back Maurice Jones-Drew returned to practice after missing two days because of a calf injury.... San Francisco center Eric Heitmann will miss the rest of the season because of a broken right leg suffered in Thursday’s victory at Seattle.... San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman, suffering from a right foot injury, missed practice but said he plans to play Sunday against Kansas City.