Williams Stay At Louisville Goes Up In Smoke
Danny Dabiri |Sep 28,2007
|
|
|
The troubled career of Louisville linebacker Willie Williams has taken a turn for the worse. There’s a surprise. Williams was already on a short leash for past transgressions that included 11 arrests before he enrolled at the University of Miami in 2004. Williams was the number one rated linebacker in the country coming out of high school. Williams’ stay with the Hurricanes was brief. He latched on with West Los Angeles Community College before enrolling at Louisville. As a provision of his enrollment, Williams agreed to conditions set forth by Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich.
It had the possibility to be a great comeback story: troubled young athlete turns his life around after being afforded another opportunity to salvage his talent. For whatever reason, Williams is unable to avoid getting mixed up in shenanigans.
His latest episode is a good one. In an effort to put his team’s baffling loss at home to Syracuse last week behind him, Williams and his boys head out on the town for some relaxation. In the interpretation of the arresting officer, Williams was playing his music too loud and pulled him over. Upon approaching the car, the officer stumbled upon Williams trying to discard the weed in his possession.
“He basically had the marijuana in his mouth,” said Louisville police spokesman Phil Russell.
That’s right. Williams tried to munch down the dank in the few seconds between getting pulled over and the officer approaching the vehicle. Sounds like a good idea. Unfortunately, that futile act is considered tampering with physical evidence, a felony that carries a prison term of up to five years in the state of Kentucky. Who knew?
To make matters worse, Williams was driving without a valid license. After his arrest, he was released on his own recognizance. Williams will be arraigned on Monday.
Louisville immediately divorced themselves from Williams, kicking the 6-3 230 pound linebacker off the team.
“I’m very disappointed in Willie,” said athletic director Tom Jurich. “I was confident that he had turned the corner in his life and was ready to be a valuable contributor to society and our football program. We wish Willie the best and hope that he can learn from his mistakes and move forward in his life.”
Anyone who has seen the Louisville defense on the field this season understands why they would take on such a high-risk recruit. The defense has allowed at least 38 points in each of the last three games. Williams compiled nine tackles this season.
Despite the loss of Williams, Louisville should get healthy this week with struggling North Carolina State up next. The offense, led by senior quarterback Brian Brohm should light up the scoreboard against the Wolfpack and make up for their defensive inefficiencies.
As for Williams, it is always a shame to see talent wasted. One only hopes that he can reverse the trend in his life and fulfill his athletic potential.
|
|
Print
E-mail
Del.icio.us
Digg
