Monday, November 30, 2009

Two DWI arrests of Longhorn Football Players Weeks Apart

According to the Associated Press, a Princeton Review study listed the University of Texas at Austin as the nation's number eight party school in 2008.

The reputation of students 'living it up' at UT lends itself to little, if any, criticism. The university, located in the capital city of Texas, is the flagship institution for the University of Texas system, which has branches situated all over the state. The University of Texas at Austin is a public research university founded in 1883. Academic successes are no stranger to UT. Among its accolades, the University of Texas at Austin was named one of the original eight Public Ivy institutions.

The university's athletic department keeps the Longhorn symbol alive in the minds of fans across the globe. In 2002, Sports Illustrated recognized UT as "America's Best Sports College." The football program has enjoyed an undefeated season this year and is keeping its eyes primed for a national championship title.

But despite the achievements by the team and its head football coach, Mack Brown, the program had dealt with two players' suspensions in one month due to charges of driving while intoxicated: 18 year old freshman defensive end Marcus Davis on Sunday, who was arrested near Houston for DWI and possession of a controlled substance; and return kicker D.J. Monroe, arrested in Hays County after a sheriff's deputy noticed the player was weaving all over I-35. Both men posted bond shortly after their arrests.

Still, the Longhorns have their eyes set on a national championship. Coach Brown issued similar statements following the arrest of each player, telling members of the media he talked to the men and their families, and that his job is to punish them, make them understand what they did wrong, and then help them. Brown placed them on an indefinite suspension while the legal process plays out.

Earlier this month, after the arrest of Monroe, fellow teammates Sergio Kindle and Lamarr Houston, who were also arrested for DWI in 2007 and 2008 respectively, offered comments to the media. They said they understood what Monroe is going through, and hoped to help him learn from his mistakes.

Coach Brown and several players, including senior quarterback Colt McCoy, said at the time of Monroe's arrest that they don't believe the incident will affect the program's goals. Others believe likewise and do not think the arrests will tarnish the university's image. Coach Brown defended Davis on Monday, saying the media is playing a big role in hyping up the player's mistake.

The Longhorns will face off with Nebraska in Dallas on Saturday for the Big 12 championship game.
Posted by Ryan Loyd at 4:24 PM
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