Fulmer announces Parker's punishment

Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer announced disciplinary action for junior All-SEC offensive lineman Anthony Parker, following Parker’s arrest Saturday on a disorderly conduct charge.

In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, Fulmer said that punishment for Parker will include, but is not limited to, morning runs, curfew, community service and participation in police ride-alongs.

“I have always taken special care to get all of the facts when we have an issue, and I appreciate everyone’s efforts to get to those facts,” Fulmer said. “I have watched Anthony Parker mature and grow as a young man, student and leader on our team over the years, and I am proud of his growth.

“However in this incident, I do not believe he respected the officer as he should have and unintentionally created a situation that could have been avoided.”

Knoxville Police Department Officer Sam Henard, off duty at the time, arrested Parker in the parking lot of a West Knoxville apartment complex.

According to police, Parker was yelling in the parking lot of the complex, where Henard also worked as a courtesy officer.

Henard told Parker to stop yelling and leave the area, however police said after Parker started to comply that he “stopped and started yelling again and walked away from officer Henard yelling again and waving his arms in the air.”

On Wednesday, the News Sentinel also obtained video from Knoxville police of two other incidents involving Parker and Henard, both of which occurred in 2006.

In the first, Parker is given a citation for noise disturbance for having his car sound system on too loud while driving on Andy Holt Boulevard on June 25, 2006. The second is a confrontation between Parker and Henard on White Avenue on April 22, 2006, in which no citations were given.

Following Parker’s arrest on Saturday, KPD received complaints from a handful of unnamed citizens, prompting a police supervisor to conduct a review of Parker’s arrest.

Police concluded that Henard acted properly in response to the incident.

Parker is the fourth player charged by police since two freshmen wide receivers were cited by police on Jan. 11 for simple possession of marijuana.

A freshman tailback was arrested Jan. 21 by UT police on a public intoxication charge after officers responded to a fight call at a university residence hall.

Parker’s punishment is similar to that received by the three players.

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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