IN BRIEF : Ex-Sun Devil Held on Calif. Warrant

TEMPE, Ariz. — Former Arizona State football player Willie Gittens has been arrested here after police learned he was wanted in California on suspicion of transporting and possessing marijuana, authorities said today.

Gittens, 29, who was raised in Fountain Valley, Calif., was a running back and kick returner at Arizona State from 1979 to ’82. He rushed for 1,959 career yards on 383 carries and scored eight touchdowns for the Sun Devils. He signed a free-agent contract with the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys in 1982 but was released in training camp.

Gittens was arrested Tuesday morning at his Tempe apartment and booked into Maricopa County Jail in Phoenix. He is being held without bail. Authorities said Gittens faces charges of being a fugitive from justice and is wanted on warrants issued by the Blythe City Court.