
Georgia tailback Isaiah Crowell, who rushed for 850 yards as a freshman last season, was expected to start for the Bulldogs this fall. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
UPDATED: CROWELL DISMISSED FROM TEAM
ATHENS – Georgia tailback Isaiah Crowell has been dismissed from the team following his arrest early Friday morning on three weapons charges.
Georgia coach Mark Richt made the announcement in short news release sent out by UGA Sports Communications at 5 p.m. on Friday.
“We have a dedicated and committed group of men who are working hard to prepare for the coming season,” Richt said. “Our total focus will be directed toward the team and this effort.”
Crowell, a sophomore from Columbus, was booked at 3:37 a.m. on charges of possessing a concealed weapon, having a weapon in a school zone and having an altered ID mark on that weapon. His bond, originally set at $7,500, was raised to $9,500 late Friday morning. According to booking records, Crowell was released early Friday afternoon.
According to the police report, four other Georgia football players were also in Crowell’s vehicle, including three 2012 freshman signees. Those persons were outside linebacker Josh Harvey-Clemons, wide receiver Blake Tibbs and defensive back Sheldon Dawson. Also present was sophomore defensive back Quintavius Harrow. None of the four were charged.
According to Athens-Clarke police spokesperson Hilda Sorrow, Crowell was arrested at a “vehicle check-point” — or road block — on East Campus Road at Green Street at 2:20 a.m. Friday. Officer Kathryn Thornton reported smelling the odor of marijuana in Crowell’s silver four-door 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis. Crowell gave consent to search the vehicle, himself and four other occupants. No marijuana was discovered but a black 9-mm Luger handgun with an altered serial number was found under the driver’s seat. Crowell was immediately arrested and taken to jail.
According to the police report, Crowell denied knowing the gun was in the car and said people drive the vehicle. He. The owner of the vehicle is listed as Crowell’s mother Debbie. The report also indicted that the five were coming from the nightclub Aftermath, where Crowell said the smell of marijuana originated.
The police report also indicated that Crowell has no criminal history.
Crowell’s mother, Debbie, was clearly distressed when reached by telephone Friday. “I don’t want to talk to a reporter right now,” she said. “”If I want to talk to anybody it’s God.”
Crowell, who came to UGA in 2011 as the No. 1-rated running back prospect in America, was slated to start for the Bulldogs at tailback this season. He rushed for 850 yards and 5 touchdowns as a freshman despite missing playing time due to suspensions and injuries. He was benched for the first quarter of the Vanderbilt game on Oct. 15 as a punishment for an undisclosed disciplinary infraction and he was suspended for the Nov. 5 New Mexico State game, reportedly for failing a drug test.
With Crowell out of the fold, Georgia will turn to redshirt sophomore Ken Malcome and senior Richard Samuel to carry the load early on, along with junior Brandon Harton. The Bulldogs also signed Keith Marshall of Raleigh, N.C. — the top running back prospect in the country, according to 247Sports.com — and four-star prospect Todd Gurley of Tarboro, N.C., to play running back. Marshall enrolled in January.
Marshall and other running backs were offering support for Crowell via Twitter.
“Pray for Isaiah & that he will learn from his mistake,” wrote Marshall from @Truthh4.
Derrick Henry, a highly-touted running back prospect from Florida who once was committed to Georgia, also weighed in via his Twitter account, @KingHenry_2: “Pray for Crowell instead [of] bashing him . . . because everyone wasn’t raised the same. . . . So everyone should just pray he sees a better way”
More information to come when it’s available.
1,565 comments Add your comment
dawghates gt
June 29th, 2012
10:20 am
I will have to say that I disagree with those who say that this is not Richt’s fault. He IS the head coach and all recruiting is HIS responsibility. We continue to recruit people that have character issues over and over and over. Ealey, Marshall, Crowell and now the kid from Swainsboro. I as a lifelong bulldog fan am tired of the embarrassment. Richt needs to get a grip or get gone!
monty
June 29th, 2012
10:20 am
Can you say LSU?
Georgia RB Isaiah Crowell Arrested On Weapons Charges | thacover2
June 29th, 2012
10:20 am
[...] to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, University Of Georgia running back Isaiah Crowell was arrested early Friday morning on three [...]
I dropped my fried twinkie
June 29th, 2012
10:20 am
TDawgMoney……….Where are you getting the DETAILS?
Smell of Pot! They were off campus and smoking dope. They didn’t have anymore with them cause they smoked it all.
Loaded or not doesn’t matter.
What good is an Un-Loaded gun anyway.
Georgia RB Isaiah Crowell Arrested On Weapons Charges | Robert Littal Presents BlackSportsOnline
June 29th, 2012
10:21 am
[...] to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, University Of Georgia running back Isaiah Crowell was arrested early Friday morning on three [...]
Joe 12-Pack
June 29th, 2012
10:21 am
This mat be a good thing. Get rid of Crowell now and move on.
Call it what is!
June 29th, 2012
10:21 am
You can take em’ out of the hood, just can’t take the hood out of em’.
Buckeye
June 29th, 2012
10:21 am
At least The Annointed One I got his healthcare passed SCOTUS.
Pete
June 29th, 2012
10:21 am
All reports say Crowell’s work ethic has done a 180. Sounds like he was really working to be a great player this year.Maybe he had so far to come, he hasn’t cleaned up his extracurriculum activities yet. His side needs to be heard. To see if he is defiant or sorrowful. To see if it is workable, if he wants to straighten out.
Mike
June 29th, 2012
10:21 am
As someone mentioned, is UGA even fielding a team against Mizzou? Sept. 8 is gonna be a long day for the Bulldogs. MIZ
Georgia RB Isaiah Crowell Arrested On Weapons Charges - FootBasket
June 29th, 2012
10:21 am
[...] to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, University Of Georgia running back Isaiah Crowell was arrested early Friday morning on three [...]
Sid
June 29th, 2012
10:21 am
Here we go again
June 29th, 2012
8:19 am
will this never end????????
**************************************************************
Just thought I would answer your question.
That would be a “NO”
Sweet Home Alabama
June 29th, 2012
10:21 am
Too bad he had a lot of talent.I hope he gets his life turned around.
Roll tide Roll……………
LLW
June 29th, 2012
10:22 am
Maybe he will be (#1 – pun intended) while he is whining and crying to to his parole officer!
Isiah Crowell is Just a Victim of the Mean Streets of Athens - Friends of the Program
June 29th, 2012
10:22 am
[...] above photoshop seems appropriate given the news that broke early this morning. I was not aware that the streets of Athens, Ga had gotten so mean that one would feel the need to [...]
TampaGator
June 29th, 2012
10:22 am
lol….
I didn’t say otherwise. I did say Muschamp “has” changed the culture at Florida. He has. I believe you will see less and less issues with Florida players because of Muschamp’s approach to recruiting and management of the Florida football athletic program. This is one of the reasons…despite a 7-6 record last year….most of the Florida alumni and one, Jeremy Foley, are so strong in support and enthusiasm about what Muschamp is doing. Florida is a much better program now under Muschamp….and they will soon return to top 5 and NC contender role real soon.
Old Dawg
June 29th, 2012
10:22 am
It’s is time to change coaches…..no more Bowden clown clone….UGA needs someone who will to stick a size 12 up some backends….we don’t need a buddy or friend as a HC
The Bear
June 29th, 2012
10:22 am
Wow! How the jury of public opinion has already convicted this kid of a crime and all the facts are not even being stated. Before you throw stones try to get the whole story. This happened at 3:30 am this morning. Amazing how fast some of the Dog fans have turned on one of their own.
Oh yea Roll Tide
dawgit
June 29th, 2012
10:22 am
Agree Ben..most people done know the laws…and not just gun laws but most all laws.
Altered serial #’s don’t mean he did it…I’ve bought guns before from friends etc and # had been F’d up…
UGAstudent
June 29th, 2012
10:22 am
“We all make mistakes”… The difference is my mistakes don’t involve a luger that I’ve scraped the ID off of… and I don’t go here for free.
Chris
June 29th, 2012
10:22 am
@puntthemarxist lol did you really think UGA had a title shot with LSU around, man you are SICK must I remind you what we did to ya’ll at the DOME last year…..agh man Honey Badger A.K.A Chris Brown got his man on that day…….
lol
June 29th, 2012
10:23 am
Now for the good news!
That is one more scholarship that Mark Richt can back load in next years recruiting class!
bodidley
June 29th, 2012
10:23 am
Richt is responsible for the type character of the kids he recruits.
it was common knowledge Crowell and Caleb King had problems in HS.
Richt needs to change his ways or be shown the door!
The football program is an off field embarresment to the university and state of GA
dawghates gt
June 29th, 2012
10:23 am
UGA is slowly becoming a reincarnate of Florida State!
Buckeye
June 29th, 2012
10:23 am
Hey dogs,
This is a micocosm of you program: major league hype followed by the pitiful truth.
Roll Turd
June 29th, 2012
10:23 am
And just think….there are those of you out there that want to pay these idiots…!!! Send is a** packing…!!!
Plowboy-Viking
June 29th, 2012
10:24 am
Why don’t these athletes have a mandatory curfew? Lay the freaking LAW down coach Richt ….. Especially for underclass men…
OkieDawg
June 29th, 2012
10:24 am
Washaun Ealey and Isaiah Crowell in the same back field….AWESOME
Lisabelle
June 29th, 2012
10:24 am
@ time after time This happens so frequently, UGAg knows exactly how to deal with this. Sweep the dirt under the rug, and he’ll be starting next fall.. REALLY?
St. Richt
June 29th, 2012
10:24 am
We didn’t want him anyway.
Too late?
lol
June 29th, 2012
10:24 am
TampaGator
June 29th, 2012
10:22 am
lol….
I didn’t say otherwise. I did say Muschamp “has” changed the culture at Florida. He has. I believe you will see less and less issues with Florida players because of Muschamp’s approach to recruiting and management of the Florida football athletic program. This is one of the reasons…despite a 7-6 record last year….most of the Florida alumni and one, Jeremy Foley, are so strong in support and enthusiasm about what Muschamp is doing. Florida is a much better program now under Muschamp….and they will soon return to top 5 and NC contender role real soon.
I agree with everything you said but that last statement…I think the Urban experiment set UF back a couple of more years before you see the Gators relevant in the Top 5.
Therut
June 29th, 2012
10:24 am
Both my daughters went to UGA and I am ashamed to tell anyone (except here)
OkieDawg
June 29th, 2012
10:25 am
Same back field at Jacksonville State.
Plowboy-Viking
June 29th, 2012
10:25 am
Buckeye….what bowl will u guys be playing in this year? Shut your pie hole
TampaGator
June 29th, 2012
10:26 am
anyway…..I imagine that in the next 10 minutes…..there will be 12 more pages of posts…..with 75 percent of them being totally lacking in civility, sense, logic, and pure simple reason……and….of course…..as many personal insults as possible. Have a nice day.
Joey
June 29th, 2012
10:26 am
Booooo!
Really – I mean it’s time for Boo!
Dawg Fan
June 29th, 2012
10:26 am
What a waste! As a Special Education teacher I read over and over how young Africam American males are “targeted” for these programs. While there are fewer young white males/females in these programs, it has NOTHING to do with their race. The behaviors of these children are what gets them placed in programs. Here is a young man who made stupid choices and has ruined this part of his life. He had it all given to him and look what he has done! Here’s your sign!
Dawg Doo
June 29th, 2012
10:26 am
CMR is going to draw a line in the sand this time, suspending IC for BOTH Buffalo AND Georgia Southern. Call it tough love…
St. Richt
June 29th, 2012
10:26 am
How can this happen at an Ivy League school?
lol
June 29th, 2012
10:27 am
I am prediciting 42 pages of comments by the end of the day. 6 p.m.
Aaron
June 29th, 2012
10:27 am
Saint Mark is going to lay down the LAW this time!
Crowell is suspended starting today through the next 63 days!
Yeah, that’ll show ‘em.
TampaGator
June 29th, 2012
10:27 am
lol….
Before I go……go look at the Florida roster…..my friend. Extemely talented….and very deep. Rising to the level this year totally depends on Driskell and or/Brissett. If they play well….Florida will be very, very good….this year.
Joey
June 29th, 2012
10:28 am
Tampa – you see some rain the other day?
dawgman
June 29th, 2012
10:28 am
later bud we don’t need or want people like you at uga .but it aint all bad you can go to auburn we no they don’t care…lol
AtWork
June 29th, 2012
10:28 am
The problem is that he does not seem to have a Concealed Weapons permit and the most important issue is that the hand gun id had been tampered with.
http://www.georgiacarry.org/cms/georgias-carry-laws-explained/frequently-asked-questions/
The fact that it is in the car could be explained away. The fact that the gun was altered to prevent it from being tracked appropiately is the alarming issue…just ask Eric Holder and Obama about gun running.
LakeDawg
June 29th, 2012
10:28 am
I never saw this coming! (sarcasm)
TowDawg
June 29th, 2012
10:28 am
You can carry a loaded weapon in your car without a cancealed permit. It just has to be in plain view, in the console, or in the glovebox.
If you have a permit, you can carry it anywhere you want in your car and on your person, within limits (gvt buildings, cetrain gatherings, etc). You can also have it in your car in a shool zone, but not on your person (outside of the car). I’m not 100% sure what the law says in regards to having one in your car in a school zone if you don’t have a permit.
The problems with Crowell’s situation are:
1. He’s under 21, so he can’t legally have a handgun (much less get a carry permit for it).
2. The serial number on the altered.
3. The fact that it was under his seat and not in the glove box or center console.
Even if he had it in a legal location, he’s still got major problems because of items 1 and 2.
Jim Dawg
June 29th, 2012
10:28 am
he was given a life changing opportunity and he crapped on it
Fredi
June 29th, 2012
10:29 am
Moma always said ” staying out after 12 you are looking for trouble.” so True, why do you think police were having a road block at 2 am? Looking for that trouble after 12.
Let Crowell go and Richt too.
UGA Dawg91
June 29th, 2012
10:29 am
Let’s wait until all the facts are known. Many want to see him fail regardless of what he does. No one knows if the gun was his. Might have been one of his “friends” who stuck it under the seat when they were pulled over and he didn’t know it was there. Similar situation happened to me when I was 19 by my cousin. This may be a case where he really needs to realize that the “friends” he grew up with need to be cut loose. Hard lesson to learn sometimes. It could be he just continues to make stupid decisions and doesn’t realize what opportunities are in front of him.
With that said, I hope the facts come out quickly and he gets an opportunity to finish his college career somewere, if not UGA. So much talent that he’s letting go to waste and that’s sad.