As expected, some additional details are emerging as it pertains to the recent legal incident involving starting Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall.
Late this past week, Marshall was cited for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana as well as window tint following a traffic stop. Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn said in a statement that he’s “very disappointed” in the incident, although he stopped short of saying what if any punishment the Heisman contender will be facing.
In an interview with WRBL-TV, Reynolds, Ga., chief of police Lonnie Holder, the man who issued the citations, revealed that Marshall was contrite, apologetic and teary-eyed during their encounter following the traffic stop.
“He was very regretful,” Holder said. “He was very respectful. He was very apologetic. He seemed like he was disappointed in himself. He did get a little teary eyed as we had the conversation. I think sometimes what those kids need, they need somebody to talk to them and say, hey, you made a mistake, don’t let it happen anymore. ...
“I explained to Nick that I was really disappointed in him. I told him that there are a million kids that look up to him. He is a role model whether he wants to be or not. I was disappointed that we have athletes out there doing that. I explained to him that we are not going to treat him any differently. I was disappointed in him. I hope he learns from his mistake and this will put him on the right path.”
(Writer’s note: I want Holder to be the chief of police in my current city. Just putting that out there in case he has any thoughts of heading to God’s Country.)
Marshall, in his first year as a starter, helped lead the Tigers to the BCS title game. Based on a previous announcement, Marshall is scheduled to be one of three Tigers to represent Auburn at the SEC media days, which begins Monday. Whether that remains the case -- the Auburn players and coaches will speak to the media Monday -- is unknown, although an AU official told CFT that Marshall will still appear as scheduled.
Here’s to hoping he does. Man up, address it, get the media side of it out of the way and move on. It’d be the best move for all sides, and would allow for Marshall to enter summer camp without it -- and the questions -- hanging over his and his team’s head.
(Tip O’ the Cap: al.com)