
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
PMC
June 29th, 2012
5:05 pm
For the record everyone, he’s been dismissed.
Phil
June 29th, 2012
5:05 pm
This is distressing BUT there is a distinct chance that he did NOT know, had not been smoking and it WAS a perfect storm.
Reporter Dawg
June 29th, 2012
5:06 pm
Make no mistake, he would NOT have been arrested if he had been checked in a Tuscaloosa roadblock. Would have een sent on his way and disciplined internally by Saban.
Steve Coleman
June 29th, 2012
5:06 pm
Bleacher Reports that Crowell has been dismissed from the team. Too bad; all the talent in the world but no discipline.
jdawgs
June 29th, 2012
5:07 pm
Tampa Gator….read this slowly and let it sink in….IN GA IF THE PLACE OF PURCHASE KEEPS A RECORD OF WHO BOUGHT A GUN THEN THEY HAVE JUST BROKEN GA LAW AND WILL BE HEAVILY FINED…….IF YOU BUY A GUN IN GA NOONE HAS A RECORD OF YOU PURCHASING THAT GUN….THE ONLY RECORD THE DEALER HAS IS THAT THE GUN WAS SOLD AT THEIR STORE…NOT WHO PURCHASED THE GUN…..
Herr Wilhelm
June 29th, 2012
5:08 pm
Herr Wilhelm iss not disstressed.
COLUMBUS WATCH DAWG
June 29th, 2012
5:09 pm
test
California Crimes Committed with Guns Bought in Georgia « The Red Clay Report
June 29th, 2012
5:10 pm
[...] In a related incident, many folks in the state are up in arms today because a 19-year-old on arrested on charges of possessing a concealed weapon, having a weapon in a school zone and having an altered ID mark on that weapon (the serial number was scratched off). Half the state is ready to throw the book at this young man while the other half is rushing to his defense. What makes this one college sophomore’s fate so riveting to so many people? Maybe it’s because he’s the University of Georgia’s star tailback Isaiah Crowell. [...]
BUZZNSC
June 29th, 2012
5:11 pm
surprise surprise
BUZZNSC
June 29th, 2012
5:11 pm
what an idiot
dawgster
June 29th, 2012
5:12 pm
@TampaGator…just thought I would chime in on a little bit on the Bible talk…just for the record I am a Christian, but I do have questions about things…but with that being said, I choose to have faith and believe and if I am wrong, then I basically turn into dust and all the non-bleivers will be right….but if believers are right in what we believe and have faith in, then we are rewarded and the non-believers may be left out…so which ever way is the truth, I will take my chances with the belief in God…again if we are wrong then we all will have the same fate, however, if our faith in God is correct, then I will celebrate with all my loved ones one day….Ok, now lets talk a little football…
At this point, doesn’t look good for IC, but I will reserve judgement until all the facts are known…I do believe its too early to say he will be booted from the team…I know that UGA has a process that will be performed in making that decision. Its a shame that the young man appears to be throwing a bright future away….The happenings today are just one of the reasons I don’t bash other schools and problems they have too….As soon as you do, it comes back to bite you…These are 17 and 18 yr old kids that unfortunately often come from many different backgrounds and upbringings….I know you often state Muschamp is trying to change the culture at florida and i believe that also, but he will encounter similar problems as all coaches do…What has in my opinion led to a lot of the problems on these college campuses in today is that the players don’t live in the dorms like they did in my day and our coaches cannot watch them and keep them out of trouble as much as they could in my day, but still it is ultimately the kid’s responsibility to stay in line…some do just fine, but others cannot handle being on their own and taking responsibility for their actions…Go dawgs and hope you are doing well….Just got back from St Pete and Tampa before the weather came in…
bitter dawgggs fan/insider
June 29th, 2012
5:12 pm
A TEAM WITH A MAKE UP OF 50% BLACK AND 50% WHITE WILL WORK—BOISE ST
REDNECKS OFF SET BLACK NECKS—————PERFECT MATCH
TampaGator
June 29th, 2012
5:12 pm
jdawgs…..
Then Georgia law has changed since I purchased a gun there. Because the place I purchased my pistol definitely had records of who I am. P.S. Come on with DIT when were are all ready to pass on…..see who is smiling most when the last breath is taken. No fear or concerns about my live after death, my man. Same as life before life. Peace……knoweth nothing. Your heaven. But I don’t need Jesus to get there. We make life what it is. We either do good things with our lives…..not much with it…..something with it…..or evil things with it. Hitler did evil. But his body is just sand on the earth now. Ghandi did good….but his body is just sand on the earth now. Niether exist any longer. But…I must say….l do wish there was a hell for Hitler….and a heaven for people like Ghandi. Me….I am OK with just being born….living a good life…..helping others…..serving others…..and having a good family that does the same. If Jesus and God are going to send me to hell for that…..then that is OK…because that would not be very nice would it?
Just in...
June 29th, 2012
5:14 pm
UGA tailback Crowell dismissed from team
BUZZNSC
June 29th, 2012
5:14 pm
which one of your heralded freshmen will be next?
dmr
June 29th, 2012
5:14 pm
These young athletes using twitter and telling fans not to bash Crowell and to pray for him have a point. Albeit a very small one. Making mistakes is part of growing up; even for adults. The difference is when you have made mistake after mistake after mistake after mistake, you must face the consequences of your actions. If you care about someone, the last thing you should do is tread lightly on them when they continually get into trouble and show poor judgement. I wish Isaiah well, but his actions continue to detract from his TEAMMATES, his coaches, his instructors, his professors, his Athletic Dept., his University. It is unfortunate that he has not chosen to use better judgement about things as simple as when to and not to be out. But for kids who are wanting to jump on fans for their reaction, know this. Georgia fans are incredibly supportive of the University and this program. However, the last several seasons has brought incredibly bad behavior and poor judgement by some of Its members and the people who support this program expect and deserve better.
dagnabit
June 29th, 2012
5:15 pm
Did Crowell have a dress on? That would be a third felony.
kerryb
June 29th, 2012
5:15 pm
One of the felonies is having a gun with an altered serial number.
BUZZNSC
June 29th, 2012
5:15 pm
time to add another wing to the clarke county jail
Minion
June 29th, 2012
5:16 pm
HA… the Athens Banner Herald reportor posts the AJC printing the names of the other football players quote ” Implication by association is not ethical journalism.
edited Fri., Jun 29 @ 1:17:55 pm” close quote.
Do the folks from Atlanta agree, or is the a home town paper just trying to minimize details?
Herr Wilhelm
June 29th, 2012
5:16 pm
@Tampa Gator……….You vould not go to hell for that but for having a rational mind and being a non-believer of an irrational story.
01HAWK
June 29th, 2012
5:17 pm
CROWELL woud have done this at every school. He is a BIG DUMMY
Terry
June 29th, 2012
5:17 pm
Weed & Guns > Education & NFL Stardom once again.
How many have to go this road before kids learn?
bitter dawgggs fan/insider
June 29th, 2012
5:18 pm
@TAMPA GATOR—–I HERE YA—–WHILE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AROUND DEAD OR DIEING
FOLKS, i DID NOT MEET JESUS OR MOHAMED!!!!!!—–GO FIGURE
JUST DRINK ANOTHER TALL BOY AND FIND SOME LOVE TO SPREAD AROUND
OR JUST HATE ON A PERSON SO DUMB LIKE I DO—14TH STREET FRY COOK–(PTSD)
Spurrier was Right
June 29th, 2012
5:18 pm
Mizzou is licking their chops…USC is now the frontrunner to represent the East.
dawgster
June 29th, 2012
5:20 pm
@MLS…you are real classy guy…I bet you admire yourself in the mirror all the time….Why don’t you wait and run your mouth when all the facts are out and the actual punishment is handed down…Calling a young man trash on a public forum is pretty low…I’m not defending his actions, and if the einfo we have been given is accurate and they find that it is his gun, then the appropriate consequences should be given out…but to call this young man trash is absurd…is he a trouibled young man, yes, possibly, but takes a real big man sitting behind a computer such as yourself to call a 18 or 19yr old kid trash….again not defending IC or his actions, but I disagree with your comments…..
TampaGator
June 29th, 2012
5:21 pm
Dawgster….
You should have come out to visit on Clearwater Beach. I has been beautiful the last couple of days. Nice breeze and low humidity. Beach is not all that nice, however, due to the storm.
I guess it is nice to have Jesus as an insurance policy against spending all that time in firey hell (ever wonder where that is?). Seems like that it what Jesus is to you from you comments. A hedge fund. Sounds to me, my man, that maybe my “faith” in what I believe is a little stronger than the faith you believe. Just saying. But…..let me know in hell if your insurance policy paid dividends up there in heaven (ever wondered where that is?)
Back to football……sorry about Crowell. It sounded like he was getting his act together. But…as I stared eons ago on this site……I think this situation will make Georgia a better team….with or without Crowell on it. I don’t think he should be on it, myself, any longer. He needs a new environment to try to work things out and get his head on straight……South Alabama really helped Janoris Jenkins.
COLUMBUS WATCH DAWG
June 29th, 2012
5:21 pm
Columbus here. Don’t send him back here! We have enough “gangstas” here!
Paul in NH
June 29th, 2012
5:21 pm
DawgNole
June 29th, 2012
4:31 pm
Paul in NH
June 29th, 2012
8:43 am
I am a GT fan, but can people wait until most of the facts come out before throwing Crowell under the bus?
____________________
No, people can’t wait–and shouldn’t. HE HAS A HISTORY. He smelled of marijuana because he’d been at “the club” at 2 a.m. A gun with altered serial number was in the car he was driving. His mother is the registered owner of the car.
You appear ignorant/naive–even by Tech standards.
—–
In your world the Duke lacrosse players would all be in prison as would Richard Jewell.
HockeyDawg
June 29th, 2012
5:25 pm
Maybe Crow did us Dawgs a great big favor by doing this now so that we could go ahead and get this cancer off our team. Sure, I understand the kid may have grown up in a tough environment. But I’m sure there have been plenty of coaches and teachers (and certainly Coach Richt and other UGA coaches) who have instructed him on how he should live his life, and the difference between right and wrong. And at some point, a young man has to take responsibilities for his own actions. The team is much better off (from a team chemistry and unity perspective) without him on it. One less gigantic distraction to worry about!
Let’s just hope this kid gets his life straightened out. Otherwise, he’ll be in an orange jumpsuit (or dead) not too far down the road.
Reporter Dawg
June 29th, 2012
5:26 pm
South Carolina will win the East with or without Crowell and beat Georgia. Spurrier loves to do things that have never been done before (run up the score on Georgia in Sanford in 1995 to over 50 points). Beating UGA three straight is his next goal which he will accomplish, especially now.
As far as this story, Bleacher Report is extreme opinion and very unreliable.
just saying
June 29th, 2012
5:26 pm
you can take the folks out the “hood” but you can’t take the “hood” out the folks. When will they learn. and colleges, Plese stop recruiting these stupid people from the HOOD. I mean really., there some prospects, who are raised right, have good sense, and know that all eyes are looking for them to mess up so, they don’t mess up! They may not be all stars, but look at where the “all stars” are going…….. to JAIL!
Please………..
dawgster
June 29th, 2012
5:27 pm
@Chip Towers…I believe its time to shut this blog down….Its had ample time to for people to get things off thier chest, but the continued bashing of this or any young man, his hurtful to many that we don’t even consider, such as his family, and close friends…enough already…and yes maybe he deserves this but his family doesn’t and since we don’t have all the facts, I would ask that the comments be closed…I believe everyone has had ample opportunity to chime in to this very sad situation…go dawgs
tyler
June 29th, 2012
5:27 pm
The only valid charges are the tampered serial number and in a school zone (which is BS). Your car is an extension of your home. If you are not banned from owning fire arms, you can have a weapon in your car.
rednblack
June 29th, 2012
5:29 pm
Too bad. So much talent, but the team is bigger than the player. Problem with a lot of these top rated atheletes, they see it as them over the team. Crowell just learned a tough lesson. Hopefully, he’ll grow from it.
bob from smyrna
June 29th, 2012
5:30 pm
Sad…screwed up a great future…UGA connections and NFL. Like someone said, he wouldn’t want to be a college coach with such players to deal with! Tech fan here, but also a M Richt fan…coach sure gave the young man enough chances. Just so sad.
I dropped my fried twinkie
June 29th, 2012
5:30 pm
I have TIME……………..I will run the UGa team. I don’t want to be a coach or more than a Disciplinarian.
I will RUN the PLEB YEAR attitude of Military schools. They will KNOW the UGa History. They will know Discipline. They Will FEAR ME and the sound of my VOICE.
I will be so far up their a..their eye color will change.
If I check their dorm room and they are not in the bed…………………..They will CRY before sunrise.
Pay me $38,000 a year and a meal plan with housing and this will NEVER HAPPEN again. Well not more than ONCE when i catch them.
tyler
June 29th, 2012
5:30 pm
Athens police need to cool it down. It’s not like the other SEC schools have disciplined, law abiding players and we don’t.
God
June 29th, 2012
5:31 pm
did not need to create hell, man has done an excellent job of creating one right here on earth, just look around.
DOUG
June 29th, 2012
5:31 pm
no more chances….Richt is the cancer
I dropped my fried twinkie
June 29th, 2012
5:32 pm
Lolo jones would never be an Olympic Finalists or a Virgin if she was a UGA track star.
missnadine
June 29th, 2012
5:33 pm
Can someone translate this?
According to the police report, Crowell denied knowing the gun was in the car and said people drive the vehicle. He.
PAUL R.
June 29th, 2012
5:33 pm
This is coaches fault! No rules in place for the quality of the “mentors” who are guiding freshman? Like how bout “no one with a prior year discipline action” can act mentors for the freshman – freshman told “stay away” from the bad eggs. And, what kind of school is this? With road blocks on campus at 2 AM when school is out? If it is that dangerous on campus maybe he was justified in carrying a luger (joke). Guy fails a drug test – and he gets docked New Mexico? Last time I saw the law – that is a felony also. Why do SEC schools all treat drugs as misdemeanors?
Coach and Georgia failed to educate this young man – shame on you !!!
TampaGator
June 29th, 2012
5:33 pm
It has been an interesting day on here…..thank goodness I didn’t have anything worthwhile to do today.
Final……Mr. Crowell…..live and learn. Get better. Prove yourself to be better than you were last night. Grow up. Be smarter. Take advantage of the physical gifts you have…..you only have them now….and only one chance to take advantage of the educational and athletic opportunities given to you. Don’t continue to blow it….as so many have before you. Good night.
thwg
June 29th, 2012
5:34 pm
Entered and left uga with the same education. Just like the rest of uga students/grads
bobwhite
June 29th, 2012
5:34 pm
at least i wont have to watch this ugly dreadlocked fools helmet come off for the thousandth time next season
the real tiger
June 29th, 2012
5:35 pm
So much for Georgia’s chance of a national championship any time soon. Its about time to part ways with cmr
nashvillegirl
June 29th, 2012
5:35 pm
@Cobb Dog. You are wrong. Yes, UGA is a great school, but some kids actually want to go to ‘Bama or Auburn. Some schools offer different things for different students … so get off you high horse. Also, your little comment about a ‘Bama kid getting off because he signs an autograph for a cop … really? Sure ‘Bama has had issues with bad behavior in the past, but not on Saban’s watch. If Crowell was in T-Town, Saban would have kicked him into next week.
TampaGator
June 29th, 2012
5:35 pm
LoLo Jones is a virgin??? What a shame. Now….good night.
Paddy
June 29th, 2012
5:36 pm
Not a lawyer……….you can have a gun on the passenger seat in plain view if it is in a holster with the snap close. But I would not reccomend it. You can’t have it on your person or under your seat unless you have a concealed weapons permit. It is called the 2 step rule. If it takes you 2 seperate actions to reach your gun, you should be within the law.The best place is in the glove box across from the passenger seat. DO NOT place it in the little box next to you that has your cup holders. That makes the 2 step rule null-in-void!