UT Football Players Cited, Not Suspended, Over Marijuana

[Herb Fellow]

KNOXVILLE — Tennessee Coach Phillip Fulmer acted swiftly and then spoke harshly Monday, but he didn't suspend or dismiss either of the two football players issued citations for simple possession of marijuana.

UT freshmen receivers Gerald Jones and Ahmad Paige, both 18, were issued the misdemeanor citations after officers pulled over Jones' Dodge Magnum near campus at 10:41 p.m. Friday, according to the Knoxville Police Department.

Also in the car were redshirt freshman offensive lineman William Brimfield, 18, and Jameel Owens, who was one of 13 prospective football players visiting UT for an official visit. Police said they were not sure of Owens' age.

"I am extremely disappointed in these young men and the decision they made," Fulmer said in a statement.

"This is an example of youth and stupidity by boys that need to become men and not make stupid and irrational decisions trying to impress each other. I have met with all three players individually, and they understand that this behavior will not be tolerated."

Fulmer did not suspend any of the three UT players but said they have to perform multiple duties to get back into good graces with the program. Fulmer said the three will perform community service with a drug rehab facility, participate in police ride-alongs and would be drug tested more frequently.

Fulmer added that none of the three would host any recruits for one year.

Jones was driving

Jones, 18, a freshman, was driving the Dodge Magnum when it was pulled over. He also was cited for not wearing a seatbelt and for a burned out license tag light. Paige, 18, a redshirt freshman, was the passenger.

Police said they noticed the burned out license tag light. When police approached the car, they noticed smoke coming out of one of the windows and that it smelled of burned marijuana, according to the report. Police were given consent to search the car, and two marijuana cigars — one partially smoked — were found in the front part of the vehicle, police said.

Brimfield and Owens were in the backseat and were not given citations.

Owens (6-3, 210), a wide receiver from Muskogee, Okla., is rated by Rivals.com as a four-star recruit and the seventh-best wide receiver prospect in the nation.

He recently narrowed his college choices to UT, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas Tech.

Jones, who is from Oklahoma City, battled a hamstring injury for most of the season but came on strong late in the year. During UT's 52-50 four-overtime win at Kentucky on Nov. 24, Jones had an impressive touchdown catch in the first overtime. During the SEC championship game in Atlanta on Dec. 1 against LSU, Jones lined up at quarterback and had runs of 20 and 19 yards.

Paige did not record a reception this year, and Brimfield did not play because of his redshirt status.

A court date for Jones and Paige will be set in the next 30-45 days, according to the Knoxville Police Department.

Source: The Tennessean
Copyright: 2008, The Tennessean
Contact: BRYAN MULLEN, Staff Writer
Website: UT football players cited, not suspended, over marijuana - Nashville, Tennessee - Tuesday, 01/15/08 - Tennessean.com

[Rocky Balboa]

This is an example of youth and stupidity. I would not ever call it stupidity, but rather call it medical stability. LOL Funny but true.