The Oklahoma Sooners will be without the services of five-star running back recruit Joe Mixon this season.
The university released a statement Monday which detailed a year-long suspension for Mixon.
“Today President David Boren accepted the recommendation of the Director of Athletics and the Head Football Coach to suspend Joe Mixon from the football team for the entire season. He will be excluded from all team activities, including being removed from the team roster. With appropriate conditions, he will be permitted to continue as a student, eligible for financial aid.”
Vice President for Athletics Joe Castiglione and head coach Bob Stoops said, “As the university has demonstrated in the past, we are committed to winning the right way. As an example to others, OU sets the highest possible standards for its student athletes, coaches and staff.”
The school decided to suspend Mixon after the Cleveland County (Oklahoma) District Attorney’s office charged him with one misdemeanor count of an act resulting in gross injury Friday. The misdemeanor stemmed from a July 25th confrontation with a female defendant, who accused Mixon of punching her in the face and allegedly caused four broken bones.
Oklahoma’s decision to suspend Mixon for the season is odd. The program hasn’t been consistent in how it deals with punishment in recent weeks.
Star linebacker Frank Shannon was also suspended for the season after an internal investigation from the school into an alleged sexual assault. Yet, Shannon continued to practice with the team last week after the school made its decision. Meanwhile, the Sooners filed an appeal on behalf of wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham last week to play this season despite being kicked off Missouri’s football team after he was accused of pushing a woman down a flight of stairs.
Mixon, who maintains his innocence in the matter, will be excluded from all team activities. One has to wonder if he’ll remain at the University of Oklahoma.