Auburn CB Pitts leaving team after DUI

AUBURN, Ala. - Senior cornerback Montavis Pitts, who was arrested last month in Tuskegee on a drunk-driving charge, said he will leave Auburn for a "fresh start" at another school and apologized for making "a mistake."

Pitts, a Loachapoka native, played in 40 games during his Auburn career, making 106 tackles.
In a statement Thursday on the transfer, coach Tommy Tuberville described Pitts as a "key contributor" to Auburn's football program. He said Pitts played "an important role as a starter during our perfect season in 2004."
Tuberville thanked Pitts for his contributions and extended best wishes for him.
Issuing an apology to teammates, coaches and Auburn fans, Pitts said, "I made a mistake and have decided that I need to get a fresh start and begin somewhere else." The statement did not say where Pitts' plans to transfer.
He said the transfer is "in my best interest for my football career, both now and the future."
Pitts struggled to adjust during his redshirt year in 2002, briefly leaving the team to pursue a career as a rap artist.
He was suspended for the season opener in 2004 for an undisclosed violation of team rules, but went on to start in every other game of the 13-0 season. Pitts played opposite first-round NFL pick Carlos Rogers, so he was frequently targeted by opposing quarterbacks.