Leigh Steinberg was the original super agent. The man Tom Cruise modeled “Jerry Maguire” after. He also apparently has an acute problem with alcohol.

(Mini-bottles? Anyone?)

He’s twice been popped for DUI, in 1997 and 2007, pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges in both cases. Steinberg’s arrest in 2007 was particularly embarrassing, as his agent firm partner Warren Moon was popped for the same thing a week later.

And now the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER reports today that Steinberg, “was arrested last week on suspicion of being drunk in public.”

As you might expect, the details of his arrest aren’t pretty.

From the OCR:

The 59-year-old Newport resident, who was the inspiration for the film “Jerry Maguire” and has represented athletes including Oscar de la Hoya, Matt Leinart and Ben Roethlisberger, was arrested after police received a call about a man yelling on Coast Highway around 7:45 p.m. Oct. 22.

Newport Beach Sgt. Evan Sailor said in an E-mail that police found Steinberg laying down in the dirt and grass near Newport Auto Center on East Coast Highway.

Steinberg reminds of John Daly. He’s obviously not going to get help until he hits rock bottom. In the case of Daly, that will involve no more golf tournament sponsor exemptions. And for Steinberg, it will involve his already-dwindling list of clients taking their business elsewhere. If they care about the guy, that’s exactly what they’ll do.