Rookie NT Ta’amu Waives Most of the Charges in Court

Steelers rookie nose tackle Alameda Ta’amu apologized after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing on felony and lesser charges stemming from an alleged drunken-driving rampage last month.

The 22-year-old fourth-round draft pick was arrested early Oct. 14 after crashing into several other cars, then running away from police who responded to the incident on the city’s South Side, a neighborhood known for bars and night clubs.

He’ll be formally arraigned Dec. 31 on felony charges of aggravated assault by vehicle and fleeing and eluding police,, as well as misdemeanor charges including resisting arrest, escape and DUI.

After his brief Pittsburgh Municipal Court appearance Thursday, Ta’amu told reporters, “If there was any other word I would say it, but ‘sorry’ is the only word I can say right now.”