APCited for driving under the influence this past week, Oregon starting defensive lineman Isaac Remington has been suspended indefinitely by the football program.
However, Remington is still participating in practice with the team as far as anyone can tell. Remington left Autzen Stadium following Saturday’s practice in full uniform, but coach Chip Kelly wouldn’t shed any light on his status outside of confirming that he’s been suspended from playing.
“He’s going to come to practice and be here with his teammates,” Kelly said. “He’s not going to be home feeling sorry for himself. But he’s not going to participate.”
However, fellow defensive linemen Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner said Remington participated in team drills.
Remington’s suspension could be lifted “pending clarification of an incident that occurred Friday morning in Eugene” — when Remington was pulled over by police and cited. Remington’s blood alcohol content was reportedly .06 (the legal limit is .08). He faces a Nov. 1 court date.
A starter, Remington has 12 tackles on the season.
(Hat tip: Oregonian)
If he’s at practice then he’s “participating.” If he’s “participating” then he’s not really suspended. Looks like Chip is going the way of big-time, big-money college football by bending the rules (and misrepresenting them) when it’s expedient.
“(P)ending clarification?” What kind of “clarification” is needed? He blew .06 and that’s driving while under the influence. He missed a driving-while-intoxicated by .02. Look for Remington’s suspension to be lifted in time for the next game.
Do star football players get preferential treatment? See for yourself in this article from The Register-Guard, 10-13-12:
“Eugene police spokeswoman Jenna McCulley said Remington, 23, was driving a Honda Accord that a Eugene Police officer stopped just after 12:30 a.m. at Kincaid Street and 12th Avenue, just west of the UO campus. The officer made the traffic stop to ‘investigate a violation’ that McCulley declined to specify.
After subjecting Remington to field-sobriety tests, the officer took him into custody on a charge of driving under the influence of intoxicants, McCulley said.
Rather than take Remington to jail, the officer transported him to the Eugene Police Department. Remington was issued a citation and allowed to make a phone call to arrange a ride home, McCulley said.”
Whatever happened to that NCAA investigation of the non integrity Oregon/Nike football program? USC would have already been locked up. Why does Oregon always get a free pass? Someone is looking out for them.
I don’t see the problem with letting him practice–otherwise it’s a penalizes the team for his poor choices.
FYI, manchestermiracle, he actually blew well under the legal limit (.08). DWI is reserved in some states for severe intoxication (often .12). I was confused as to why he was even being charged given he was BELOW the legal limit so I researched the Oregon laws a bit.
Apparently in Oregon you can get convicted of “DUII” (driving under the influence of intoxicants, is what they call DUI) for EITHER (1) having a BAC of .08 or more, or (2) a finding that your mental/physical facilities were impaired in any perceptible way.
Basically, Oregon is a zero tolerance state. I’m guessing that Remington had trouble walking the line or doing some of the other ridiculous tests they have you do.
In any event, I’m sure he will get the same treatment that anyone else with a lawyer and no priors gets: a 1 year diversion program.
Oregon is the new and improved Thug U.
pj:
I posted the newspaper article to show that Remington got preferential treatment, not only from the law, but from his own coach. You posted nothing to refute that Kelly is permitting Remington to attend practices even though the university claims he’s been suspended. Apparently “suspended” means something else in Eugene. And your statement that Remington’s exceptionally poor judgment “penalizes the team” is counterproductive (and a bit offensive) to good discipline and following the law. DWI is .08 and above. Period. Harsher charges can be levied for extreme intoxication. DUI is usually reserved for alcohol intoxication under .08 as well as being “under the influence” of other drugs.
In Oregon, as in most states, you can be considered impaired without blowing a BAC over an arbitrary limit. Most of us are aware of studies that show you are impaired to some degree after just one drink. When you are arrested for drinking and driving, whether you are over that state’s limit or not, you go to jail. Remington was taken to the police station, not the jail, and then allowed to leave. That’s preferential treatment.
Oh, and blowing 75% of the legal limit is hardly “well under.”
From dui.drivinglaws.org/oregon:
First Oregon DUI Offense
1st Drunk Driving Conviction
DUI Diversion Program Possible
Jail – 48 Hours Minimum up to 1 Year, or
Community Service – 80 Hours
Fine – $1,000 Minimum
*Fine – $2,000 Minimum (BAC .15 or Above)
Fine – Up to $10,000 (If Child under 18 in Vehicle and was 3 Years Younger than Driver)
Various DUI Fees – $300 Minimum
License Suspension – 1 Year
Ignition Interlock Device – For 1 Year after Suspension
Complete Drug / Alcohol Treatment Program
Participation in Victim-Impact Panel Program Required
Let’s see if Remington’s punishment involves any of these.