UPDATE III: Georgia TB Isaiah Crowell dismissed after weapons arrest
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.
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1,565 comments Add your comment
Judge Dawg
June 29th, 2012
9:45 am
The altered ID means that the gun was stolen. The ID was altered so that you could not trace where it came from. This is real criminal behavior.
dw
June 29th, 2012
9:46 am
The Keith Marshall signing looks real good now. He is a REAL student- athlete, something this team is sorely lacking!
Georgiagirl
June 29th, 2012
9:46 am
Is anyone surprised?????
Dawg4Live
June 29th, 2012
9:47 am
Another Bust….I was hoping this guy would get his act together….
TossSweep
June 29th, 2012
9:47 am
THIS IS HERMAN CAIN! THEY THINK WE ARE STUUUUPIIIDDDD!
Cobb Dawg
June 29th, 2012
9:47 am
“WDE” two words: Scam Newton.
Old Dog
June 29th, 2012
9:47 am
“What kind of weapon ? A pocketknife is one thing ”
I don’t think they have ID marks on knives that can be altered.
Boosted
June 29th, 2012
9:47 am
But all you mutts clamored how he was the next herschel! He was the backbone of the dream team! Great kids you guys recruit. Pathetic
TampaGator
June 29th, 2012
9:47 am
As a Gator fan…….I say this will make Georgia a better team this coming year…..not a worse one….mainly because it will improve the locker room and bring the remaining players closer together. You watch. This is sad news….but maybe good news for the Georgia program in the long run. Have a nice day…..you too, Chris.
I dropped my fried twinkie
June 29th, 2012
9:47 am
The NEXT QUESTION……………………….
What UGa football Players Off Campus Apartment was he at smoking dope then driving back to campus to his dorm room?
Cobb Dawg
June 29th, 2012
9:47 am
“WDE” I have two words for you: “Scam Newton”.
Bama Mike
June 29th, 2012
9:47 am
Physical and solid offensive line play will make him a distant memory by the middle of the first quarter of the first game. You dont improve from 6 wins to 10 and the Eastern title without it and it does appear to be sustaining. A lot of eager and hungry young backs just became even more motivated this morning.
fatbamaboy45
June 29th, 2012
9:48 am
AHMMM- I TOLD U JAWJAW BULLDOGS THAT HE WOULD NOT MAKE IT PAST A YEAR AND I WAS LAMBASTED FOR SAYING IT. I KNOW THE KID PRETTY WELL, NOT HIS FIRST TIME TO CARRY A WEAPON, FIRST TIME TO GET CAUGHT.
Keith and Todd here checking in...
June 29th, 2012
9:48 am
Finally…!!! Don’t worry Dawg nation. We were raised right, and we’ll prove to you that we will be the best two back tandem in the SEC and Nation. Our momma’s weren’t waiting around for an NFL check like Isaiah’s momma was. We were disciplined as kids, and our momma’s never told anyone that we were just “good boy’s” when we did something wrong. No, our momma’s beat our asses… We’re thankful to Isaiah for giving us a shot sooner than we expected, but ya’ll pray for him. He damn sure gonna need it…
ugab
June 29th, 2012
9:48 am
Where is all the mentors? Who is in control of these kids during the off season.? CMR’s off season plan has never worked. I am sick of this sht.. It is time for the drug policy to change. There need to be changes made, now. IC, shame on you.
The Rap Sheet
June 29th, 2012
9:48 am
This is arrest #50 in the last four years. That’s really something for Saint Mark to be proud of. Fifty arrests make a mockery of Richt apologists who say it’s not his fault, he can’t be with every player 24/7, yada yada. No other coach in America has even a fraction this many arrests.
Just another reason to dump Richt now. Clean house and start over.
mgdawg
June 29th, 2012
9:49 am
Kick him off the team richt. He’s been nothing but trouble off the field and his lack of effort on the field shows me no signs of him changing off the field. Once again all the ability in the world and nothing else. Maybe now that running back that decommitted will hop back on board.
Willow Smith
June 29th, 2012
9:49 am
I whip my hurr back n forth. I whip ny hurr.
dawg
June 29th, 2012
9:49 am
I love all the “UGA sweeping this under the rug” talk. Yeah AU, LSU, UA, TN, UF, USC are SQUEAKY clean. Oh and lets not forget AR-Kansas with their pornstar/stuntman coach. Have to agree the kid is an idiot, but UGA is certainly not alone in that stat.
crispyTaunTaun
June 29th, 2012
9:49 am
we sign only the dumbest…I heard he was on his way to shoot the freshman who are going to take his position (Gurley and Marshall)….in the legs.
Chris
June 29th, 2012
9:49 am
@Tampa, I agree though, not smart to carry it without permit but man crime has no name on it and with his status I can relate, It takes one fiend, just somebody hungry for money or drugs and you don’t know who or when they are watching you and not to mention he is in Athens, might be doing Bath Salt out there lmao, somebody but honestly, he probably does still have that hood mentality but in relation, i’m sure it was for pure protection and nothing else, nothing to make the bulldog nation go as hard as they are going but I forget, we’re dealing with ATLANTA FANS…….on the Bandwagon when its right, On your front door step with the worst when you down, If I were a stellar athlete, I would never play for a GA TEAM, not even the FORCE, this is a tough one because I can relate to why he was carrying but can’t relate to why he didn’t do the simple things to process it legally
Contractor
June 29th, 2012
9:49 am
I love how they said he was maturing and becoming a leader. Psh, straight crap. You can look at the guy and see he’s an idiot that doesn’t even deserve a chance to be great. I was hoping he’d come in and do well, and I was excited, but had my doubts about his ego and character. Cut this loser and let Marshall and Gurley tote the rock. Henry should be persued pretty hard now. Just a testimate of how you can never have too many at one position.
The Factor
June 29th, 2012
9:50 am
@Tampa Gator
You take the pinhead comment of the day: “Richt simply has to recruit more character”…
This, coming from a gator! Good gosh boy, we are beginnimg to look like UF when we have these arrests. At least we do something about it. What a joke coming from you.
Wally Butts
June 29th, 2012
9:50 am
Some kids don’t know good from bad anymore No Morals. Richt has gone the distance trying to keep this kid on the team. It erks me for some people to blame him for all the displine problems he has to deal with over the years.He can’t be with them 24 hrs per day.
I know I’ve dealed with the same things coaching kids and young adults . Back off of Coach Richt
Cromwell has played his last game at Ga. .Lets focus on the kids who wants to play football and get an education.
TampaGator
June 29th, 2012
9:50 am
Cobb Dawg,,,,,
Cam Newton never had anything to do with weapons….and the NCAA investigated everyone related to that issue…..and no wrong doing was found. You people need to get over that and move on. Until someone proves something…..Newton did nothing wrong. Period. P.S. He has become a great NFL QB….already. And he is a kid of high character so far in the NFL. So……..
mgdawg
June 29th, 2012
9:50 am
ugab, there needs to be changes, but UGA has one of the strictest drug policies in the nation. Richt is doing that right.
UGA Fan Foreva
June 29th, 2012
9:50 am
why does he even need a gun??
Next
June 29th, 2012
9:50 am
Time for Ken BOO Malcom and Richard Samuel and the other kids to step in and play.
NEXT !!
UGA class of 71 & 73
909
June 29th, 2012
9:50 am
King, Ealy, Crowell…(yawn)…Next !?
ugab
June 29th, 2012
9:51 am
CMR is at home. CMR is with his family. The football team is not his family.Bobo is grilling weenies with CMR. What a joke
Mike Geigerman
June 29th, 2012
9:52 am
What a dingus
Dawgpound
June 29th, 2012
9:52 am
The .com’s are as much to blame for blowing these kids ego’s up and promoting them through high school and college. The NCAA will be coming down on them soon. Just watch and see….
Gaeducator
June 29th, 2012
9:52 am
Lessons learned – HERACLITUS (c. 540 – c. 480 BC) — Greek philosopher
“A man’s character is his fate.”
Holden Magroyne
June 29th, 2012
9:53 am
Dumb Ass just destroyed a promising career and big $$$ in the NFL!!!
Chris
June 29th, 2012
9:53 am
@TheRapSheet, every watch Varsity Blues? How bout Friday Night Lights? That is your answer to why no other coach in America has even a fraction this many arrests……..I really don’t hear of many arrest of athletes in other states compared to GA either………Arrest are all about the $$$$$
Jacket Fan
June 29th, 2012
9:53 am
Has he been spotted in Home Park recently?
Unfortunately, you need to arm yourself in Atlanta. Do you really need to do that in Athens?
Joe 12-Pack
June 29th, 2012
9:54 am
Too bad he didn’t go to Alabama.
I dropped my fried twinkie
June 29th, 2012
9:54 am
Do a Higher Percentage of people with Dread Locks carry guns and smoke dope?
Crowell will still be a Dawg!
Snoop Dogg will hire him to carry his dope cause Crowell can run fast.
Bro
June 29th, 2012
9:54 am
Time to start recruiting more in the area of character instead of always looking for the so called “best talented”. A good dependable running back is a lot better than a good criminal.
MizzouRaw94
June 29th, 2012
9:54 am
I’ll just quote the Ole’ Ball Coach on this one: “I don’t know. I sort of always liked playing them that second game because you could always count on them having two or three key players suspended”
-Steve Spurrier
CharliePellives
June 29th, 2012
9:54 am
Tampagator is a danged idiot. Do you really believe that a recruit will go someplace other than Florida because he has character issues? So that is why FSU and Georgia get all the bad guys because Florida has such a clean program. Oh yeah, and please go crawl back under your rock.
Contractor
June 29th, 2012
9:55 am
Chris,
It’s an actual simple answer… Because he wasn’t thinking the same way you want to portray it. Quit sugar coating it and sounding like an idiot. You claim to be a Georgia fan, but you sound like a fool for trying to justify why he should have a gun. First off, he shouldn’t have drugs, so that shouldn’t be an issue. Second off, he’s not a loaded superstar, he’s a sophomore tailback that had a mediocre Freshman season that was riddled with suspension and injuries. Get off his knob and be a human being instead of making excuses and kisses his butt.
St. Richt
June 29th, 2012
9:55 am
Atta boy Cobb Dawg…didn’t take long for you to deflect it on to “Alabammer” did it? You guys are such shining leaders of the conference.
UGA is a JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!
DIT
June 29th, 2012
9:55 am
@TampaGator
You have had the most classiest posts this morning. I appreciate you trying to keep it civil while most conduct themselves in a juvenile mannor here. Sad situation for IC. As a Dawg Alumnus, I was pulling for a turn around on this kid. I guess it’s not in the cards as a football player. I pray that God gets ahold of this young mans life. As long as he is breathing there is still hope.
Kyle
June 29th, 2012
9:55 am
We will be fine. He was more trouble than he was worth.
globeflyer
June 29th, 2012
9:55 am
GaDawg: You forget one thing….you cannot pick your kids, but you can (and should) pick your players. The UGA football “machine” has has displayed a mindset of tiptoeing around the “edges” re: character vs. talent. Sure other schools wanted Crowell too, but they would have been “monitoring” him a lot closer (I would bet). He showed his propensities early on, and this is nothing more than a continuation of those. Another case of terrific talent undermined by a total lack of “smarts” and discretion.
TampaGator
June 29th, 2012
9:55 am
The Factor…..
The joke is your comment about me. Florida does a lot about such issues. Wilson….who was charged and convicted of the same kind of weapons charge (except worse since he fired it into the air) was kicked off the Gator team. Janoris Jenkins was kicked off the Florida team by Muschamp….”asked to leave” so he could have a chance somewhere else.. Chris Martin was “asked to leave” as well….and several others since Muschamp has arrived. Not a single recruit of Muschamp’s (Leonard was recruited by Meyer) has had a single issue. Muschamp has already changed the culture at Florida….and character is a major requirement when he recruits prospects.
ugab
June 29th, 2012
9:55 am
Everyone must understand, other schools sweep alot of the players getting in trouble under the rug.. Ex. FSU bak in the day… Most schools do not drug test..
Red Stick
June 29th, 2012
9:56 am
This guy is a huge distraction and Georgia will be better if they just dismiss him. No single player is worth this. At least it happened now instead of during the season.
And for the poster that says LSU tolerates or sweeps stuff like this under the rug, remember Miles kicked his starting quarterback, Perrilloux off the team, and had no backup that had played any minutes at all.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
TallaDawg
June 29th, 2012
9:56 am
You can’t fix stupid … or a culture that does not see its own catastrophic flaws.