Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer said Tuesday that Daryl Vereen must perform community service and will be subject to a semester-long curfew following the freshman tailback’s arrest for public intoxication and underage consumption early Monday morning.
Campus police arrested Vereen, who turned 19 on Tuesday, after responding to a call of a fight outside Gibbs Hall, a student residence located across the street from the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center.
“I am extremely disappointed in Daryl and his actions,” Fulmer said in a statement released Tuesday evening. “I have met him individually and talked with his parents. He is aware that I will not tolerate this type of behavior and he has a lot of work to do, including performing community service with a drug rehabilitation facility, participating in police ride-alongs and a semester-long curfew.”
According to UT, Fulmer also made the entire team run at 6 a.m. Tuesday, following the second off-field incident involving Tennessee players in less than two weeks.
None of the players involved has been suspended from games or practices.
“We have a great group of young men, but the actions of a few taint the image of all of them,” Fulmer said. “These young men need to understand that they represent the University of Tennessee and our football program and these immature actions need to stop.”
On Jan. 11, wide receivers Ahmad Paige, 18, and Gerald Jones, 18, were cited for misdemeanor possession of marijuana after Knoxville police found two marijuana cigars in Paige’s car following a traffic stop in the Fort Sanders area while hosting a recruit on his official visit.
Neither player — nor freshman offensive lineman William Brimfield, who was in the vehicle but not charged — was suspended.
All three, however, will be subject to more frequent drug testing, as well as community service and participation in a police ride-along. None will be allowed to host a recruit for one year.
Vereen’s arrest came shortly after 3 a.m. on Monday, when UT police said they observed as many as 10 people fighting in the fire lane outside Gibbs Hall.
As the others involved in the fight went inside the dorm, an officer noticed Vereen moving toward his dark blue Jeep Cherokee, which was parked in the fire lane.
In the UT police report released Tuesday, the officer told Vereen several times not to enter his vehicle. Vereen entered the Jeep on the driver’s side front door, but the officer caught up to Vereen and ordered him out of the vehicle.
“Mr. Vereen had a bloody lip and had a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from and about his person and breath,” the report says. “His speech was very slurred and he had blood shoot (sic) eyes.”
The report said Vereen was unsteady on his feet after exiting the vehicle.
He was arrested and taken to the Knox County Detention Center because the officer deemed Vereen “unable to care for his own safety or would be a danger to others.”
A friend parked Vereen’s Jeep in a legal parking space on campus, and Vereen’s keys were returned to him later, police said.
Vereen, a Charlotte, N.C. native, redshirted in 2007, a year after setting the Mecklenburg County rushing record with 2,603 yards and 31 touchdowns as a senior in 2006.
Tennessee begins spring practice March 11.
Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.
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Comments » 157
firetst#220411 writes:
Good for Coach Fulmer. Discipline was swift and adequate. Great time to let the team know there will be no BS.
stroker writes:
Don't see how any naysayers can disagree or critize CPF for this resolution.
AlpharettaVol writes:
I think ole Phil is resorting to a little peer pressure when everyone gets punished for Vereen's action. Maybe a few of the other guys can explain to him in no uncertain terms why this can't happen again.
TommyJack writes:
Seems reasonable to me. I'm sure all will agree...
waterskier3#226480 writes:
who cares its basketball season with real championship caliber teams in action... are we turning into a basketball school while kentucky is turning into a football school?????? what's wrong with this picture :) GO VOLS!!!
CrankE writes:
I like it.
How long did they run, 15 minutes?
winbigvols writes:
I'm not one to side with Mr. Fulmer, but this was well said and the right thing to do. The whole team needs to run and they ALL need to do the right things. Everyone of them needs to know that the coach is in charge. Unfortunately, the whole team has to pay for a few but I think that Mr. Vereen just got caught when the others didn't, they all need to do the right thing, or they all should share the punishment THIS TIME. The next time Mr. Vereen will be packing and then he has thrown away his chance to play for The University of Tennnessee.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
That action will at least bring some non-friendly stares from fellow travelers on the Vol highway of life. You go, Phil.
mbradshaw1#655539 writes:
I must be in the "Twilight Zone" I just posted a comment to sjt18 on this story and it posted on the Vereene page?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Well, its not up to "blunt" standards, but ol' Vereen has at least surmounted the 300+ posting standard with a few cold ones. 3 articles , no less.
TommyJack writes:
sjt: I truly think it's a pretty fair sentence. The real leaders on the team will doubtless break Vereen's er uh chops.
jr8657 writes:
I hope this sends a message to the entire team that you win as a team and you lose as a team. This, I hope will make an impact not only on Vereen but the entire team! I just hope this type action will cease...soon! Because if it don't it could get ugly in a hurry. It's the first time that I can remember that Coach Fulmer has penalized the entire team for a transgression of one member of the team, at least the first time that it has been made public. I think it's a great idea, hopefully everyone will begin to account for each other.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
The team punishment is exactly what I was hoping for and I hope this is the beginning of having some team leaders emerge that will apply some peer pressure to the rest of their teammates. I also agree with Vereen losing his late night freedom for awhile. This is a firmer and quicker response by Fulmer than in 2004 and other years. Could be another sign of how Fulmer has changed and is changing things since the 2005 crash.
thesavageorange writes:
VOLinDAWGland ,My thoughts exactly.This team needs leaders.This may be the first avenue for the naturally born leaders to step up.Can you imagine back in 98, some freshman having to explain to Al Wilson why he had to get up at 6:00am and run.He may have gotten his beak racked again.
tigervol9802 writes:
If any of you have played any type of sports, then you know there is nothing that makes you make sure that you keep others in line than when you are punished for their mistakes.
On the flip-side, as an individual, there was nothing that made you feel worse than when you knew the entire team was ready to beat you because they suffered from your screw-up.
Somewhat wonder if this is a new idea brought in by the new guys. Whatever it is, I like it.
thesavageorange writes:
tigervol9802 ,Well stated.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
Sometimes leaders emerge through sheer force of personality, other times - probably most other times, leaders need to be identified and activily encouraged/challenged. I think part of Fulmer's style in the past was to just let the natural leaders emerge. When the program started to slide after 2000 there was a glaring lack of any identifiable leaders. This team has some good leadership prospects - Foster, Berry, Crompton are the obvious ones, there's probably others ready to step up if/when challenged by the coaches.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
During the good years of the late eighties to the NCS there were a nearly unbroken string of good leaders that all of us could name. It would be easy and natural to get used to that and not be prepared to step in when that string was finally broken, which happened around 2000. Fulmer allowed himself to get caught in a comfort zone that didn't exist after 2000. Times seem to be changing for the better the past two years with Sears and Mayo last year, Mayo and Ainge and Foster and Xavier this past year with Berry emerging. I'd like to see some of the big uglies emerge as leadership enforcers like ol' Billy Ratcliff.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
VolCR,
The problem with women commenting on men's sports is that it is really quite impossible for them to relate and understand for two reasons:
1. you ain't a man
2. most women haven't played physical team sports and even those that have such as bball are coached differently and treated differently then the males because they ARE different
invisiblekid writes:
Also agree with the post tigerVol9802. At the end of the day, much of the responsibility lies with CPF, but there needs to be some leadership and internal policing by the players as well.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
Thanks for the scoop qwerty,
Smells a bit like the new coaching blood is making an impact.
thesavageorange writes:
VolCR ,What would you suggest?Just wondering.You could suspend them for the UAB game, but I don't think that says much.That's what Richt did to his player who was cited for underage drinking.Suspended for the Georgia Southern game.Doesn't sound that bad to me unless Vereen was hoping for mop up duty.
TommyJack writes:
VOLinDawg: hahahahaha
BigOrangeInCarolina writes:
I don't think they'll be laughing when they're out in 20-degree weather and their lungs feel like they're on fire. I think it's a good move by Fulmer, and he needs to keep it up. Hopefully the leadership will emerge and take his hiney behind the shed for a few minutes...
tigervol9802 writes:
I'm pretty sure some of the folks who bash these moves probably never went to junior college, much less a 4 year school, and can't imagine how much 6 am itself sucks to a college student.
I've been trying to think how pissed off I would have been had I been in one of the following groups and had to been there at 6 am.
Coaches
Players
Grad assistants
Managers
Trainers
Then I am sure after all of this at the end there was a statement made along the lines of "Guys, next time it will be worse."
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
No, CPF messed up. He should make all us FANS run at 6 a.m.
betcha those players won't mess up after seeing a bunch of fat middle-aged white guys rumbling around the track...they'll be laughting too hard!!!!
snowvol writes:
At what point does one of these incidents bring about a suspension that involves a game or two next season? I don't care how disappointed Phil is, his disappointment doesn't seem to raise the bar on players fearing what happens if they screw up. Tougher discipline on these kids. The old line about boys just being boys, or teenagers doing stupid things...that's great, until someone kills someone because he was drunk behind the wheel or loaded up on drugs. Yes, it happens in everyday life, and many will say this kind of behavior is just a reflection of society. But there's one difference: Society generally requires a bigger penalty than what Fulmer doles out.
TommyJack writes:
mparker: Can't run. Will bring a note.
ATLVOL1 writes:
"gentlemen: run your rears off all the way to Krispy Kreme and back, oh and Vereen pick me up a dozen"
thesavageorange writes:
mparker12 ,Very funny.That image should keep me laughing for a day or so.I got winded walking to the mail box this morning.
pj_ladyvolnMI writes:
VOLinDAWGland, do you really think that Pat Summitt, given her reputation, goes easy on her girls?? I seriously doubt it.
DennisVols writes:
I liked the team punishment as well as the player. During my term in the Army we were treated as one. If one screwed up we all got punished. We were all accountable for each other and it made us closer as a unit.
These players need to understand that their individual actions not only is a reflection of them but of the whole team.
banjo writes:
This should have been started several years ago for "any" violation of team rules. When enough of them get tired of the screw-ups on the team, they'll (the players) take care of it internally.
BRAVO PHIL!!!!!
thesavageorange writes:
snowvol,I understand where you are coming from, however if CPF doles out stricter penalties than anyone else in the conference,how long would it take for the word to get around to recruits.Players start transfering,other coaches use it against us in recruiting etc..If we ended a season w/ 5 wins again everyone would want Fulmer's head.No one would step up and say, but we are the most disiplined team in the conference.This is a necessary evil in college football.That is if you want to keep you're job.
Titan writes:
Peer pressure is a great motivator. Other things haven't worked too well - it's worth a try.
spencer1989#206886 writes:
Sounds like someone forget to work on the charts.
VolPowers writes:
I'd like for Fulmer to define running...are we talking about a jog, gassers, running the gate at Neyland Stadium, what? Then I'd know how to respond about this form of punishment.
The other thing that cracks me up is the Police. On every Police report it says about a strong odor of alocohol coming from the suspect. Guess what? Not all alcohol gives off an odor! I would bet my last penny that the fuzz has a play book that they run through whenever someone is suspected of an alocohol offense, whether it's accurate or not. I appreciate what Police do for the community, but jesus christ, think for yourselves.
DennisVols writes:
Just in on Atlanta news: Richt just doubled the punishment of one the the 2 players suspended due to drinking. The player apparently did not handle what was expected of him following the original punishment.
Man that is tough. LOL
chrisw2967 writes:
Im just im pressed with Fulmer by getting up by 6AM , I wonder if he ran with them ? Personally I think the coaches should be in as good as shape as the players.
Just beat the kittens in Basketball tonight , its hoops season.
vol52 writes:
What happened to the pot smokers? Are they going to run laps for that? They have met with Fulmer. Another dozen glazed please!
thesavageorange writes:
DennisVols .Dang!Now he has to miss the Georgia Southern and Central Michigan game.That will teach that lawbreaker.Ha ha.
thesavageorange writes:
VolPowers , Don't know if this post is correct, but I hope so. Posted by qwerty6969 on January 22, 2008 at 6:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
One of the earlier posters questioned if the team's punishment run this morning might have been a walk in the park. Hardly. There were 20 trash cans positioned in the practice complex, most of which were receiving active use as puke receptacles.
It was a serious and intense punishment.
chrisw2967 writes:
sjt: where do you find a copy of those normal policy and punishment guidelines ?
you work at UT something ? just asking
thesavageorange writes:
qwerty6969 ,Thanks.I take it you witnessed this personally.Were any of the players leering at Vereen?Coach may have gotten this guy the old soap in a sock.Did CPF adress that w/ the players?
thesavageorange writes:
I meant about not taking out physical punishment on Vereen themselves.
vol1994 writes:
I don't see how anyone can argue with the punishment. The player was wrong for what he did and we don't know the entire story. From what i was told, and of course this could be incorrect,
Vereen was provoked by a couple of guys and then was jumped by the same guys outside of Gibbs. Again that could be incorrect just what I heard from a client who works at VASF.
However, giving the young man a curfew is probably going to teach this kid a lesson. He's going to be hating life when all of his friends are out late on the weekends and he has to be home by midnight!!
ggriggs939#223122 writes:
Follow the example of The Bull, Phillip. One of his players was late for a meeting. He was cautioned that if he was late again, he would have to run laps around the field. He was late for the next meeting and was awarded 10 laps. Late the next time and got 20 more. The player said that when the number got to 160, he realized the General was serious and was always on time, but he still had to run the 160 laps.
Who gave the underage guy the booze? Surely he couldn't have bought it himself. Maybe the reporter gave it to him so he would have a story to report afterward, something like the fireman setting fires so he could ride the fire truck.
tigervol9802 writes:
stj18 -
Pretty soon the players will have to start running at 6 am 3 days a week anyway (I think). They may already be doing it and this is in addition to it.
Sounds like qwerty is our man on the scene. How many guys threw up?
thesavageorange writes:
vol1994 ,Even w/o the fight he was still drinking(under age)out at 3:00am,and ignoring a direct order of a police officer.If he wasn't there at 3:00am,and drinking he would not have been in a fight.Nothing good happens at 3:00am when alcohol is involved.Well, almost nothing!
ReallyAVolFan writes:
Please, Coach Fulmer, do not let any of these guys ever host another recruit. I know you have to assume that a tiger can/will change his spots, and that's fine, but let's not risk UT's recruiting and the image of the UT Football program on these guys!!! You know, there are still a lot of parents out there that do not think there four or five star athlete is capable of smoking pot!!! You have got to do your best to keep the UT Football pot smoking crowd away from the recruits.
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