Thursday, June 14, 2007

Rash of Arrests Plague Texas

Another week, another arrest for Texas football.

Robert Joseph's arrest Saturday marked the second run-in with the law this month for Longhorn football players. Defensive end Henry Melton was arrested on June 1 and charged with driving while intoxicated.

Joseph's charges? Burglary of a vehicle.

He's no longer with the team, at least. Shortly after being suspended, he announced that he'll transfer.

Something's not getting through to these guys. They know they have a bull's-eye on them every time they get on the playing field. What they don't realize is that the same bull's-eye is there when they show up on a police blotter.

They represent the University of Texas just as visibly as the school's highest officials, and yet time and again, they end up in jail.

Cornerback Tarell Brown was arrested twice while at Texas, with the first incident coming just days before the team's game against Ohio State. Backup Tyrell Gatewood was arrested with him, and the pair was held out of the game, which the Longhorns lost 7-24.

Remember Ramonce Taylor?

Of course you do. After scoring 15 touchdowns during Texas' national championship season, the all-purpose back was arrested for felony marijuana possession and eventually pleaded guilty. Like Joseph, he transferred, effectively ending what had once been a very promising football career.

While the regularity of arrests seems to be picking up, it's been a problem for a few years.

Last year's starter at running back, Selvin Young, was arrested in 2003 along with linebacker Aaron Harris - who was later arrested with Brown and Gatewood - defensive tackle Larry Dibbles and cornerback Edorian McCullough for marijuana possession. Those charges were dropped due to inadmissible evidence.

Even the almost-legendary Cedric Benson was arrested twice. First it was for drug charges in 2002, then for criminal trespassing in 2003.

They may not always be guilty, but they're putting themselves in a position to get arrested way too often. I really don't get it. It's possible to have fun and stay out of jail. I've been doing it since I got here.

Confrontations with the police occur, but cursing and insulting the cops is not the way to go, Henry.

And I respect anyone with an appreciation for guns, but falling asleep with a loaded 9 mm on your lap? That's just a bad idea, Tarell.

Last but not least, know if there's pot in your ride (or backpack), Ramonce, Selvin, Aaron, Larry and Edorian.

Whether or not the charges stuck every time - they usually didn't - they cast a damaging shadow on the program. Comparisons are already being drawn to the U, and that's just embarrassing.

The school's football team is supposed to make students proud, not make them raise a legal defense every time sports are discussed.

But for now, anytime someone asks me what's going on with Texas football, I'll have to plead the fifth.

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