Is it too much to ask to just be nice?
Preface: The following events don't appear to be related.
Item 1: Long Snapper Jeff Henson was arrested Saturday morning for urinating in public and public intoxication. Richt has suspended the 25 year old indefinitely as this is his second boozy offense.
Note to the Universe: If you're 25 years old, you're about six years past your pissing in downtown Athens and having it just be a boys will be boys weekend. That pretty much makes you a straight up dumb ass. Per the ABH:
According to a police report, an Athens Clarke-County police officer saw Henson urinating on a wall and sidewalk at the Wachovia on the corner of Clayton and College. As the officer approached, Henson began walking up the ramp to the ATM and then another person with him told him to fix his pants because he was "hanging out."Athletic Department rules call for a 30 percent suspension for a second booze offense. That's four games before the cops sort out the "he punched me" stuff.
The officer arrested Henson, who appeared very intoxicated, smelled heavily of alcohol and was unsteady, according to the report.
At the time, another male approached and said Henson had just punched him in the face at a bar. The male's left eye was red and swollen, according to the report.
Item 2: Michael Lemon (already dismissed from team from prior apparent stupidity), Marcus Dowtin (true freshman linebacker) and Donovan Baldwin ( junior safety) were all allegedly / apparently involved in a bar fight Saturday morning at "The Library" bar on Clayton Street. Per the AJC
Junior safety Donavon Baldwin was suspended indefinitely for his involvement in an unrelated altercation at a bar. Baldwin, who was already serving a one-game suspension because of a DUI arrest in January, was sent to St. Mary's Hospital after getting hit in the head with a beer bottle.Lemon was arrested outside of St. Mary's Hospital for underage possession of alcohol and basically making a complete ass of himself in the hospital parking garage. Why was he at the hospital you ask? Oh...he was hanging out with his former teammates who were getting stitched up after someone opened their heads with beer bottles.
Freshman linebacker Marcus Dowtin also was treated at the hospital for injuries suffered in the same altercation. A release from the UGA sports communication office did not mention any penalties for Dowtin.
First off, I stand corrected. I thought Lemon had been booted from campus after his dismissal from the team. Hopefully, that will get resolved rather quickly in the near future.
Secondly, are you freaking kidding me with this? According to the police reports at least two other Bulldog players were somehow involved in this bar fight. So far no one has been arrested in conjunction with the fight(s).
Bar fights happen
Just because you're in or around a bar fight doesn't mean it's your fault. My sophomore year in college I roomed with a complete horses ass who was always starting bar fights. I was lucky enough to miss out on his big shows that resulted in jail time, but I saw him and another roommate clean house at Lowrey's (sp?) during nickel night. It was my good luck that I didn't sucked into it. (Note: I'm known across North Georgia for a fighting style The Ancient Samurai call "The Victim.")
Generally speaking, I don't think bar fights (assuming they don't get wildly out of hand) are that big of a deal. What worries me here is the unknown scope of the situation. It'll probably take a few days to find out who else was involved, who started it (if that ever gets sorted out), who is to blame and who else may or may not get arrested.
The bad news...when you're #1, this gets even more attention. The good news...none of the currently identified players future playing time alters the course of the 2008 season.
Bottom line where the hell was Dalton to politely ask the guys to leave?
UPDATE: Rumor is that Richt has just made Downtown Athens off limits to the team pending further notice. If true, it'll probably be confirmed by Sunday afternoon.
PWD
