NFL Player Arrested for Bringing Loaded .40 Cal Handgun NY Airport

NEW YORK (TheBlaze/AP) -- Authorities say an NFL player has been arrested at a New York airport after police found a loaded handgun in his luggage.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Da 'Quan Bowers was awaiting arraignment Monday on charges of criminal possession of a weapon. Meris Campbell, a spokeswoman for the Queens District Attorney's office, said Bowers will be charged in criminal court on two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. The charges carry a minimum sentence of 3 1/2 years in prison.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Da'Quan Bowers (AP)

Bowers was arrested at LaGuardia Airport as he was about to board a US Airways flight to Raleigh, N.C. Authorities say the loaded .40-caliber weapon was found during a search of his carry-on bag.

Bowers played college football for Clemson University and was chosen by the Buccaneers in the 2011 NFL draft.

He's in police custody and can't be reached for comment by telephone. The Buccaneers haven't returned messages seeking comment.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the matter "will be reviewed under our league policies."