How did this happen? Why did this happen? This is his second arrest in a year for Sanders. After the first, more restrictions should have been placed on him. Where were his friends, teammates, anyone? Under age drinking is part of the college experience however, when you are an athlete a higher level of expectation should be placed on them.
Student-athletes often do not realize that THEY are their brand. A player's off-the-field/court actions can either help them or hurt them in obtaining their future athletic goals. It doesn't matter if a player successfully scored every time they have the ball on Saturday, if by Tuesday they have done or said something negatively, the potential to instantly wipe out the on-the-field/court success is there. It can take center stage and possibly even destroy their future before it begins.
I am now officially a broken record. Ha!
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Jock Sanders of West Virginia arrested on drunken driving charge - ESPN:
"West Virginia receiver/running back Jock Sanders could be facing suspension or dismissal from the team in the wake of a DUI arrest over the weekend.
'I am looking into the situation, gathering facts and will take appropriate action once all the facts are in,' West Virginia coach Bill Stewart said through a school spokesman.
Sanders, a junior, was seen speeding near campus and crossing the center lane in a black Dodge Charger early Saturday, according to an arrest report filed in Monongalia County Magistrate Court. Officer C.L. Thomas approached Sanders' car in a parking lot and reported that he could smell alcohol on Sanders' breath, the report said. When asked if he had been drinking, the 20-year-old Sanders responded 'a little,' according to the report.
Sanders then failed three out of four field sobriety tests and had a blood alcohol level of .125, the report said. The legal limit in West Virginia is .08.
This is Sanders' second arrest in the past year. He was one of four West Virginia players who were arrested in connection with a fight at a club last February. They were charged in March with battery and each pleaded no contest, receiving a fine and community service hours.
Sanders led the Mountaineers last season with 53 catches for 462 yards and seven touchdowns in 2008. He also ran for 278 yards and two scores."
Brian Bennett covers the Big East for ESPN.com.
The last 7 - 10 days have been bad for the professional & college level sports industries. From collegiate athletes like the case of Sanders here, to Multi-million dollar A-Rod's steroid use admission, to Olympian record breaker Michael Phelps --- what we continue to see is a need for education and empowerment about choices and decision making and how that impact your on and off-the field career and image. I wonder if anyone gathers annual statistics on how many college atheletes get arrested for DUI? and how many of them are starters and/or star players on the team?
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