New York Jets star Sheldon Richardson has been charged with resisting arrest dating back to an incident that took place earlier this month.

According to police, the defensive end was engaged in a high-speed road race near his home in St Louis.

A fully loaded weapon was found in the car, while there was also evidence that he had been using marijuana.

"I'm not a dope fiend, man," he told reporters.

"I apologised to my teammates and this organization. I told them they don't have to worry about my name being in the news again."

The incident occurred just 12 days after Richardson received a four-game suspension from the NFL for violating its substance-abuse policy.