Tribute to the Texas Longhorns

As a tribute to the Texas Longhorns, the Criminal Athletes blog has converted our colors from Black to UT Burnt Orange.



Yet another Longhorn was arrested today bringing the total to 6 since June. Which by the way, is two more then Colt McCoy has touchdown passes and two more then the entire team has rushing touchdowns. Give the Horns credit though, they have played powerhouses like Arkansas State and Central Florida.

Mack Brown had this to say about the situation:

"I am really proud of the Texas football program and all it has stood for during our 10 years in Austin," Brown said in his statement. "We've built a great program within the rules with a foundation of integrity, hard work, academic commitment and winning. We unfortunately had a number of student-athletes who have been accused of making poor decisions this past summer, with James' situation joining that group.

"Young people who do not obey the law, University or team rules will continue to be disciplined with a stern hand and we will move forward. We continue to have a zero tolerance policy in that regard. That said, I will put our long-term record of character up against anyone and that's why these situations upset me so much."

Let's review the Longhorns legal problems.

James Henry - Obstruction, Suspended indefinitely - RB with no carries in the first 3 games.

Tyrell Gatewood - Drugs, Suspended indefinitely - DB with 2 tackles in 2 games this year and a total of 12 tackles all of 2006.

Dre Jones - Aggravated Robbery, Suspended indefinitely - True Freshman, not expected to contribute.

Robert Joseph - Aggravated Robbery, Suspended indefinately - Has left the team because of an earlier incident.

Sergio Kindle - DUI, 3 Game Suspension - Recorded 21 tackles and 4 tackles for a loss in 2006, expected to compete for a starting position.

Henry Melton - DUI, 3 Game Suspension - Converted from RB and was expected to start in 2007.

So let's recap the situation... three players that probably would not have contributed to the team this year are suspended indefinitly, two probable starters are both suspended for three cupcake games. So much for Mack's "Zero Tolerance" policy.

6th Longhorn Arrested Since June

Texas freshman running back James Henry has been charged with two felony counts of obstruction and tampering with evidence, making him the sixth Longhorns player arrested since June.

Henry, who was arrested Monday, is accused of beating up one of the victims of a July home invasion that allegedly involved two other players, Andre Jones and Robert Joseph.

Henry was booked into Travis County Jail where his bail was set at $30,000. He was suspended indefinitely from the team, coach Mack Brown said Tuesday.

Henry, who redshirted last season, has played in two games on special teams for the No. 7 Longhorns (3-0).

Austin police learned of Henry's involvement by listening to taped recordings of Joseph's phone calls from jail, said Det. Anthony Bigongiari.

During the investigation of the robbery, one of the victims told police that some of Joseph's friends had assaulted them. In one of the taped phone calls, Henry said he "went over there and whupped" one of the victims, who told police they were thrown on the ground and punching and kicked in the head several times, Bigongiari said.

Henry, who did not participate in the robbery, was charged with tampering because police believe he disposed of a backpack containing items stolen in the home invasion, Bigongiari said.
Police also charged a third person, Eddie Ramirez, who is not a football player, with threatening the victims.

Brown said Henry would have been suspended earlier if the team had known the latest allegations.

"It's unfortunate that we have just been informed of the situation or we would have been able to address it when it allegedly occurred in July," Brown said.

Henry's arrest is the latest trouble for a program reeling under a string of arrests. On Monday, Brown reinstated linebacker Sergio Kindle and defensive end Henry Melton, who had been suspended for the first three games because of drunken driving arrests over the summer.
Last week, senior safety Tyrell Gatewood was suspended indefinitely after his arrest on drug charges. Freshman defensive back Ben Wells, who was riding with Gatewood when he was pulled over, was given a citation for possession of drug paraphernalia and released.
Jones remains suspended from the team. Joseph had already left the team before his July arrest because of an earlier incident.

Brown said he is disappointed that the arrests have embarrassed the program but challenged the notion that Texas is riddled with problems.

"Young people who do not obey the law, university or team rules will continue to be disciplined with a stern hand and we will move forward. We continue to have a zero tolerance policy in that regard," Brown said. "I will put our long-term record of character up against anyone, and that's why these situations upset me so much."

Two UT players suspended for "cupcake" games

Texas defensive end Henry Melton and linebacker Sergio Kindle will miss the first three games of the 2007 season after being charged in separate DWI cases over the summer.
Kindle and Melton will miss games against Arkansas State, TCU and Central Florida as punishment for being arrested over the summer. The announcement came from coach Mack Brown as the Longhorns reported to training camp Sunday.
The players will also be held out of the first couple of days of practice when they will visit with a woman whose child was crippled by a drunk driver, Brown said. He did not identify the woman. The players also must perform some form of community service on behalf of the team before they will be allowed to play.
"I think we've got to send a message, and kids have to learn," Brown said. "It is a good opportunity for our football team to step up and talk about how serious we feel about drinking and driving."
Kindle, a sophomore, was expected to compete for significant playing time this season after playing in 11 games in 2006. Melton, a former short-yardage running back, moved to defensive end full time in the spring.
"This punishes the team. They are both good players," Brown said.
Several Longhorns have faced criminal charges in recent months.
A third player, freshman linebacker Dre Jones, was suspended indefinitely last week after being charged with aggravated robbery. Former safety Robert Joseph was also charged, but he had already left the team after being arrested in a separate incident over the summer.
Brown doesn't think the arrests have ruined his reputation for running a clean program.
"I need to step up and take responsibility for anything negative and to be a strong leader," Brown said.
Senior defensive lineman Frank Okam said other players can learn from the suspensions.
"Here you have a standard you have to uphold and be accountable for," Okam said.
Also on Sunday, running backs coach Ken Rucker announced that he has prostate cancer. Rucker said the illness was diagnosed after a regular visit with his doctor and that the disease was caught early. Although he initially hoped to have surgery after the season, it is scheduled for Aug. 27. Rucker will coach until then and said he hopes to return before the end of the season.
"When you have cancer, you want to get it out," Rucker said. "With time, I'm going to be fine."
Brown said he hoped that by the start of practice Monday, his team will focus on the Sept. 1 opener against Arkansas State instead of off-field troubles.
"I've spent more time the last 10 days thinking about things other than football," Brown said. "I'd like to get back to football."

Texas moves up to #4

University of Texas has moved up to the #4 spot in the Thug Factor with their latest criminal activities. In line with Mack Browns handling of all UT Thugs, the starter is still on the team and the backup has been suspended.

Way to go Mack.

2 UT Player Arrested for Burglary and DUI

Texas safety Robert Joseph was jailed Saturday on two misdemeanor charges of burglary of a vehicle and has been suspended indefinitely by the Longhorns.

Joseph, 19, was booked around 4:30 a.m. and remained in Travis County Jail late Saturday on $6,000 bond. He was arrested after running from a security guard who found Joseph sitting in a car that didn't belong to him at a downtown hotel, according to his arrest affidavit.

"We are aware of the recent situation with Robert Joseph," Texas head coach Mack Brown said in a statement. "We've talked with Robert and his family and have decided to suspend him indefinitely, pending the completion of the legal process. At this time, he will not be involved in any team functions."

Joseph is the second Texas player arrested this month. On June 1, junior defensive end Henry Melton was arrested and charged with misdemeanor driving while intoxicated.

According to the arrest affidavit, Joseph was spotted in a car by an off-duty Austin police officer working security at a hotel parking garage. Joseph told the officer the car belonged to a friend, but then fled as the officer tried to verify the owner's identity.

A short time later, the officer again found Joseph sitting in another car. The affidavit states that Joseph was arrested after telling the officer he was breaking into cars to get away from someone who attacked him at a downtown club.

Joseph, a sophomore, played in seven games last season but missed the last six with a shoulder injury. He had 14 tackles as a backup safety and special teams player.