Blog React
Photo by UTSports.com
Brian Williams. Williams was in the right rear passenger seat.
Photo by UTSports.com
Melvin Goins. Goins was in the left rear passenger seat.
Photo by UTSports.com
Tyler Smith. Smith was in the right front passenger seat.
Photo by UTSports.com
Cameron Tatum. Tatum was driving the 2010 Dodge Charger.
Tennessee men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl said dismissals are possible after four players were arrested on drug and weapons charges Friday.
“At this time they are suspended, and the suspensions could be for games,’’ Pearl said following Saturday’s practice at Thompson-Boling Arena. “Dismissing players is a possibility. A lot depends on the history of the athlete and his actions over the last three or four years.
“I still don’t have all the information.’’
The four players involved in the incident — All-SEC senior forward Tyler Smith, junior post Brian Williams, junior point guard Melvin Goins and redshirt sophomore wing Cameron Tatum — were bonded out late Friday night from the Knox County Detention Center: Smith, $2,000; Williams, $2,500; Goins, $1,500; and Tatum, $1,000.
“The thing I really want to stress to the fans, please don’t judge our entire athletic program based on the last couple of things that have taken place with the football and basketball teams,’’ Pearl said. “The vast majority of our athletes represent themselves well and are doing the right things.’’’
The players were not at Saturday’s practice, and Pearl said they won’t work out with the team while suspended. He indicated it’s likely some of the players, if not all, will remain suspended when the Vols play visiting Charlotte on Wednesday.
It’s also possible all or some of the players could still be missing when No. 14 UT plays host to No. 1-ranked Kansas next Sunday.
The arrests took place after the rental car Tatum was driving was pulled over for speeding around 11:30 a.m. Friday on Alcoa Highway near Kingston Pike.
Pearl said he was told the car was a long-term rental taken out by a girlfriend of one of the players, and he doesn’t expect it to be a compliance issue.
All four players arrested face misdemeanor charges. Two guns were found in the car; one under the driver’s seat, and another with an altered serial number under the passenger-side seat.
Knoxville Police Department spokesman Darrell DeBusk said officers also found a baggy of marijuana and an open container of alcohol in the vehicle.
“It could not be determined if the driver and passengers were under the influence of marijuana or not, although the strong odor indicated that marijuana had been recently smoked in the car,” according to a statement from DeBusk. “Because of this, physical arrests were made instead of misdemeanor citations for the misdemeanor charges.”
Tatum was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and having an open container of alcohol, he said. Smith was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm with an altered serial number.
Goins was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of marijuana. Williams was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm with an altered serial number and possession of marijuana.
Pearl expressed disappointment with his players’ actions, apologizing to the UT fanbase while making it clear such actions won’t be tolerated.
“I don’t know who the guns belong to, and I don’t know who the marijuana belonged to or where they found it,’’ Pearl said. “I have very little tolerance for that (drugs). I’ve got a history with a number of players who were starters, players who are no longer here.’’
Pearl said neither the players’ status, nor the magnitude of the upcoming games, will be considered into the disciplinary action he takes after getting more information on the incident.
“What it does to us on the court, that’s the least of my concerns,’’ Pearl said. “We have to take the hit, be accountable and let this thing run its course.
“We’ll be fair, we’ll be firm; we won’t overreact, we won’t underreact.’’
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Comments » 154
rockyknox writes:
What does UT do now? I am sure the higher authority Johnny Adams will tell us in tomorrows column.
mdvol writes:
That's quite an update, KNS. Anything we don't know already?
WiseVolMan writes:
Making progress already. Maybe we had some players that came to practice and actually wanted to play and were not too tired from partying the night before(or better say morning of) practice. Let's get focused on our 2 big home games coming up and put the nightmare of yesterday behind us!
kevin151 writes:
forfeit the season, enough is enough
khelton657 writes:
Who leased the car for the dirtballs...er..I mean team leaders ?
chazz25 writes:
will be a better TEAM after this.
williams= too soft
goins=50% free throws
tatum = inconsistancy
smith= lack of leadership
chazz25 writes:
no use to forfeit the season..still believe we can make the dance, however it will definately be hard to do so and probably wont advance far.
westknoxvol24 writes:
If any of "us" had a hand gun with an alterd serial number,they would throw us UNDER the jail
rocky_topper writes:
amen, kick all four of them off. the team without them will go just as far this season with or without them! they are a cancer to the team. no wonder they haven't made no improvements over last season----too many extra curricular activities keeping them occupied as is evident in their shooting!
Ringside writes:
Breaking News....UT had four basketball players arrested. Practice was held today.Also, Tennessee lost to Virginia Tech Thursday evening.
More on these stories tomorrow. Good grief.
out_of_town_vol_fan writes:
we have all been wondering...whats up with Tyler, is he ever going to take over? is he going to lead the team? i guess now we know why he is yet to take a leadership role.
i think this is really sad for these 4 guys...and i'm sure BP and the rest of the team feel let down.
tnsportsman writes:
GOOD, GLAD THEY ARE SUSPENDED AND HOPE THEY ARE GONE! As much as I dislike the NCAA and their interference in recruiting, parity and celebration rules; I wish they would really do something useful and stop athletes at ALL LEVELS AND SPORTS from ever playing again once a school kicks a player off a Team for breaking the law!
We need the Pro Sports to back it now and the NCAA to say enough is enough. It's the only way to help the Universities and Coaches to have teeth and enforcement.
If all law breaker players knew they could not take their bad social and law breaking self to another school or ever play professional sports to make the money; I think they would finally get it!
To bad under present rules, they show up at another school or in the Pros like nothing ever happened.
It's not just UT, it's all top schools in all sports that has to deal with (some) players that think they are above the law and social rules!
Kick them off the team now! Bruce, you can and will take what you have left and make the best of it. We as Big Orange Fans should fill up T/B every game to support the players left on the Team and be as LOUD as anyone in the country!
GO VOLS, we support you Bruce! Do what you have to do now!
Ringside writes:
good point. Hope this is the last of these sort of issues.
vet4ut writes:
no they wouldn't. unless you have a criminal record, or a warrant for your arrest. you would be processed and released just like they were.
vet4ut writes:
Based on your rationale, every student at any university should never be allowed to continue their education if they too broke the law.
Meaning if you get an underage drinking citation, disturbing the peace citation, public intoxication citation, wreckless driving citation, shoplifting citation, etc, etc, etc then you are never allowed to pursue higher education or your career. You see, these are misdemeanors just like these guys are charged.
golfballs03 writes:
This sounds fishy.
ccantrell#227456 writes:
Mr Hamilton and Mr Pearl,
The time to make a statement is now!!! If these players are not removed from this basketball program, you will completely lose a very fragile and frustrated FAN BASE...
There needs to be a ZERO tollerance policy going forward on any arrests involving any player with illegal drugs or in possession of a firearm.
The ORANGE NATION has tollerated enough.. It's time to make a stand, and DO THE RIGHT THING....
This team will be endured without these players, but will be scorned if they are allowed to remain..
DO THE RIGHT THING...
DO IT NOW....
Thanks,
A VOICE FROM THE ORANGE NATION...
out_of_town_vol_fan writes:
in response to...
"tnsportsman writes:
GOOD, GLAD THEY ARE SUSPENDED AND HOPE THEY ARE GONE! As much as I dislike the NCAA and their interference in recruiting, parity and celebration rules; I wish they would really do something useful and stop athletes at ALL LEVELS AND SPORTS from ever playing again once a school kicks a player off a Team for breaking the law!
We need the Pro Sports to back it now and the NCAA to say enough is enough. It's the only way to help the Universities and Coaches to have teeth and enforcement.
If all law breaker players knew they could not take their bad social and law breaking self to another school or ever play professional sports to make the money; I think they would finally get it!
To bad under present rules, they show up at another school or in the Pros like nothing ever happened.
It's not just UT, it's all top schools in all sports that has to deal with (some) players that think they are above the law and social rules!
Kick them off the team now! Bruce, you can and will take what you have left and make the best of it. We as Big Orange Fans should fill up T/B every game to support the players left on the Team and be as LOUD as anyone in the country!
GO VOLS, we support you Bruce! Do what you have to do now!"
have you ever made a mistake in your life...what you said is pretty unrealistic.
Ringside writes:
Are you kidding? I had a spotless record, got into a fight that I didn't start and had a bail sat as high as someone that committed armed robbery. It's all about who you know. If they had not been connected to Tennessee athletics, they would still be in jail.
chazz25 writes:
i think you almost have to kick them off the team.. i believe in second chances but that is dependant on what the crime or offense was. if it was missing practice or not going to class or something of that sort then ok, but we are talking about speeding with open alcohol, weed and guns. what wouldve happened if they would have hit someone and either killed them or seriously injured them. sometimes you just have to let go.
kindawarped writes:
Why do all four have different bail amounts? I always wonder about that as they are in the same car.
volcycle writes:
OK Scotty... Your team. Step Up and lead! Tyler doesn't want it!!!
vet4ut writes:
So, since you didn't get preferential treatment, these guys did?
And just so we are all on the same page, people get into fights all the time. UT games, bars, etc. The standard isn't having bail set as high as someone who commits armed robbery.
I'm assuming there is more to the story.
In any event, I'm glad you managed to extricate yourself from the detention center.
Good thing you weren't playing basketball for UT. According to most of the posters on this board, your career would be over.
VolQB writes:
I heard that BP set a 50 gallon container in the locker room and asked his players to put all their drugs and guns in the container.
So far, he collected a baggy! I am not sure what that means but it could be progess.
SIMSVOL writes:
Thank goodness I've still got my wife's team to root for - you never hear of any problems out of Wake Forest. Tennessee has a long way to go to regain its position as a leader in men's football and basketball. I think we better start by coveting integrity as much as we do athletic skills...
vet4ut writes:
I can speak for everyone when I say that we are thrilled you can cheer for Wake Forest.
chazz25 writes:
IMO it doesnt matter who...i liked all of them with the exception of williams who is in my opinion a waste of scholarship money
SIMSVOL writes:
Hey Vet -
Not surprised my earlier post was over your head.
PoochPuntOn3rdDown writes:
Really Ringside, you got into a fight?
tnsportsman writes:
VET4UT & OUT_OF_TOWN_VOL_FAN
As normal you missed my point competely as liberals. IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO PLAY SPORTS! They could still get their education, just not play sports! ROFLMAO, how many do you think would continue their education, LOL!
Remember, 'Student/Athlete' first?
ALWAYS EXCUSES FOR THE LAW BREAKERS!
Madkels writes:
So you would punish the rest of the players who weren't involved?
volinflorida2 writes:
The bright side, this could be a recruiting bonanza! Immediate playing time! Our starters are on parole! (Kidding) This is very disturbing and my Florida friends won't let me hear the last of it after the football fiasco.
topgun writes:
First, everyone has to settle down a bit--make that settle down A LOT--and see what the charges really amount to.
Frankly, I don't trust any thing the police do or say in many of these cases. Period!! Anyone can be "charged" with almost anything, but to be "guilty" is something else.
Also, 4 guys own 2 guns?? Would that not be one-half possession?? Was that one open beer--would that be one-fourth share?? Pot possession-who really owned the pot and was anyone actually using the stuff?? Yeah, I know--if one guy in the vehicle has an open container then everyone is guilty. But I ask the questions, how many people who have ever posted here have:
1. Never had an open beer or alcoholic beverage in their car??
2. Never had a weapon or some sort of weapon in their car??
3. Never have been over the posted speed limit??
Some of you so-called "people" remind me of the old town drunk in western movies who always had a rope and always was ready to hang the accused without a trial or obtaining any facts concerning the charges.
Anyway, sometimes, back in the day, I had a gun under my front seat and I am a church-going, USA loving, retired USAF pilot with a big bunch of combat-earned decorations, blah, blah, blah.
I say all of that meaningless drivel, only to point out that owning a gun and carrying it in a car, by definition, does not make one a thug. If I were stopped and arrested for the six-gun in my possession and my wife were in the car with me--not knowing anything about the the old six-shooter--would that make her guilty of gun possession charges?? Never had any pot, but have had a beer once in awhile. OK, call me a thug and send me to jail!!
Seriously, I certainly am NOT condoning any of this behavior, but the fans jumping to trigger-happy (pun intended)conclusions and making all sorts of wild ill-informed, statements about thugs and other nasty stuff doesn't help anyone or anything.
Let CBP and UT handle the situation. These guys aren't in the ancient Roman forum and the fans should wait a while to determine IF these guys deserve their thumbs-down penality. Happy New Year!!
schymtz writes:
Pitiful and infuriating. Meanwhile, Kentucky has opened strong against Louisville in Lexington. Drugs and guns have NOTHING to do with basketball. NOTHING. Players who do have something to do with guns or drugs should have nothing to do with the game. I actually believe that a single instance may serve as opportunity for a "come to Jesus" moment with mandatory year-long counseling; a second may be a case for mandatory rehab with a seasons suspension; a third calls for expulsion from the university. Conviction of any felony charge at any time should result in expulsion. These guys are NOT stupid. Marijuana, a tar-based substance, is detectable for 20+ days in oral or urine samples. They already know that.Hair folical screens should be mandatory for all, players, coaches, assistants and managers. I was moved by Williams earlier transformation and apparent dedication. He seemed noticably improved this season. Tyler's below ability performance may be directly linked to drug use. Don't have much of a take on Goins or Tayum, but each made some positive contributions in recent games. All of that is beside the point without demonstrated improvement in ATTITUDE and RESPONSE. Without demonstrated actions, the whole program is not just on thin ice, but has already fallen through. Clearly, the next conversation with any of these four starts with "this talk is about your present and your future, if any." An immediate assignment might be to memorize each of these posts and reply to each.
Louisville is playing some better at the start of the second half.
yabadabadoo1026 writes:
not if those shots are trey attempts
gburton#362231 writes:
I think you missed the point. He said the NCAA shouldn't allow them to take up residence somewhere else if they were "kicked off the team for breaking the law".
What would constitute that? Certainly not a youthful mistake such as underage drinking (once) or disturbing the peace (once). However, drugs, weapons, repetitive youthful mistakes, or felonies would be great reasons to lose the privilege of a scolly. The could then choose to seek their higher education anywhere they wanted.
I agree we should swing the axe. No player is bigger than the university and I'm sick of being embarrassed by this kind of phooey. Too many UGA and FL fans live around here...
Also, I love what CLK is doing on the field - minus a bad play call once in a while, but his snub of Coach Beamer and some of the other things he is apt to say is also embarrassing. Sure hope he grows up soon. I fully expect him to win big in a couple of years, but at what cost? What does it show your kids if you disrespect a coach who is easily respected?
Madkels writes:
I understand what he is trying to say. The difference is "every student" is paying their own way versus being recruited, put on a full ride while being a "representative of the university", and wearing the school colors.
Certain "misdemeanors" are forgivable, but when you involve guns or felony charges, dismissal should be the the norm.
mrvica#308650 writes:
To The_Four_Horsemen
"I bet if it was Steven Pearl and Skyler Mcbee in the car everybody wouldn't be saying kick them off, threw them in jail, etc...."
What is your point. The action of these four was stupid and I do not see that there is any difference based on the names of those involved. Surely you are not trying to play the race card!
govols1986 writes:
According to JimWogan - CBP said after today's practice that just ended. "Players could be dismissed, but no final word yet" More on 6News at 6.
byanwilliams_underscore_33 writes:
I looked up to Bryan Williams.He and Wayne Chisim are my Very favorite basketball players. but i think im gonna start pullling for Kentucky,because John Wall is AMAZING!! I thought Bryan Williams was AMAZING untill he made this mistake,and he still is AMAZING!Everyone makes mistakes. I really wanted to cry when i found out Bryan Williams got arrested. Hopefully he wont make this mistake again. I will be a Bryan Williams fan till the day i die!
VolWoman writes:
Just remind your Gator friends of the player who shot off a gun inside an apartment with other athletes present. An innocent neighbor could have been killed. At least these guns were under the seat.
Not that I approve, but I wouldn't take integrity lectures from a Gator fan.
al2476 writes:
I am aware of a football plyer at Western Ky that was caught with drugs and a gun with a filed off serial number and he was sentenced to 1 year. The gun with the altered serial number in Ky is a ferderal offense and is dealt with quite severally.
mrvica#308650 writes:
Thanks for the tip. I am new to commenting. You still did not answer my question. What was your original point?
schymtz writes:
As far as I know "The gun with the altered serial number in 49 states an several territories as well as Ky is a 'ferderal' offense.' Apparently not (yet) charged. Ah, but it does raise idle speculation in the face of lack of facts or knowledge of events.
hogan writes:
COULD BE!!!! Bullcrap, they should have already been kicked off the team and out of the university. Be a man and a leader BP do the right thing, send them packing NOW!!!!!!
ALVolFan writes:
Agree - kick them off the team. Make an example now and maybe Pearl can run a clean program from here on out.
samvol writes:
SO ARE YOU SAYING THAT ALL THE PLAYERS SHOULD BE PUNISHED? STUPID STATEMENT.
DennisVols writes:
"Stupid is as stupid does" Forest Gump said it best.
Keeping it Real
Go Vols!!!
RJ_Vol writes:
"A lot depends on the history of the athlete and his actions over the last three or four years."
"The thing I really want to stress to the fans, please don’t judge our entire athletic program based on the last couple of things that have taken place with the football and basketball teams," Pearl said. "The vast majority of our athletes represent themselves well and are doing the right things."
I am a big CBP fan. However, I must respectfully say that length of tenure @ UT should not be taken into account. IF(stress) these young men are convicted, they should be dismissed from the team. It's time to send the message that drugs and guns are not acceptable at UT. I hate it for these young men. As for the second quote, our program is gaining unfortunate recognition for inappropriate conduct by our players. I wholeheartedly agree that we have players who do the right thing everyday. So, why is CBP having to stress this. Mike Hamilton NEEDS to be singing that same song on every media outlet that will have him. Highlight the Hardestys and Reveiz's of the programs.
Ringside writes:
Not at all Pooch, not at all.
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