An off-field incident will keep a pair of Arkansas State football players off the field for the Red Wolves this postseason.
In a press release, ASU announced that seniors Chris Stone (pictured) and Tyler Trosin have been suspended for the team’s New Orleans Bowl game against Louisiana Tech Dec. 19. According to the school, the duo was suspended because of a violation of unspecified team rules.
However, ArkansasOnline.com is reporting that Stone and Trosin were arrested early Tuesday morning and charged with possession of less than two grams of methamphetamine or cocaine. The players and another male were sitting in a vehicle when officers approached and smelled marijuana as well as observed “several open containers of alcohol.” The situation subsequently devolved from there.
From the online report:During a search, the officer found a portion of a straw with white powder in Trosin’s pocket, as well as white powder on driver’s seat where Stone was sitting, the report said.
As the trio was booked and taken to Craighead County Detention Center, police found more baggies of drugs on each of the suspects, the report said.
Five baggies found on Fulcher contained a leafy green substance believed to be marijuana, according to the report, which said baggies found on Trosin and Stone field-tested positive for cocaine.
“Our football program has a high standard of conduct all our players are fully aware of, and not only expected to abide by, but also embrace,” said head coach Blake Anderson in a statement. “Our team is a family, and we have emphasized that while building a positive culture within our program. Sadly, two of our family members chose to go down a disappointing path that is highly unacceptable and won’t be tolerated by this team.
“Our players understand that unacceptable actions come with difficult consequences. Chris and Tyler will now have to face those consequences. Our team will use this as a teaching and learning opportunity, and we also wish Chris and Tyler only the best.”
As Stone and Tyler are seniors, they have played their last games as Red Wolves.
The loss of Stone for the bowl game will be by far the most impactful of the two. Stone started all 12 games this season at defensive end, and scored a pair of touchdowns on fumble recoveries.
Trosin, a wide receiver, caught eight passes for 113 yards this season.