DULUTH, Ga.,None — A former Atlanta Falcons player is wanted in connection with a stolen watch worth thousands of dollars that surfaced at a pawn shop on Buford Highway in Duluth.
Defensive lineman Grady Jackson, 37, is charged with theft by receiving.
Channel 2 Action News reporter Manuel Bojorquez obtained a copy of Jackson's arrest warrant. While it does not accuse Jackson of actually stealing the expensive watch, it does say he was the one who pawned it.
Police said the pricey Aximum brand watch was stolen from a former teammate. The watches are encrusted with diamonds. According to the warrant, Jackson got $2,000 for the watch.
But a former teammate who now plays for the Detroit Lions reported the watch stolen from a gym bag in 2009. That player said he paid more than $40,000 for the watch at a store in Buckhead.
Bojorquez went to a Lawrenceville barber shop owned by Jackson to see if he was there. Bojorquez was told that Jackson is in Florida, where he now plays for a United Football League team.
According to the warrant, Jackson has spoken to police a few times -- and told them he obtained the watch from someone in Alabama. But when they asked him to return the money he got for the watch, police said Jackson stopped communicating with them.
Jackson released a statement through his publicist saying the accusations are not what they seem.
"...I take pride in my work as a pro football player, to be able to provide for my family and in being a loving father and husband. I have always felt humbled and grateful for the years of love and support from my wife, my children, family, friends and my fans," Jackson said. "That's why I want you to know, recent information in the news about me is a misunderstanding I am in the process of clarifying and look forward to resolving."
Jackson played two different stints with the Falcons from 2006 to 2008.