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UPDATE: WVU Football Player Arrested, Suspended
Posted Tuesday, February 10, 2009 ; 09:18 AM | View Comments | Post Comment
Updated Wednesday, February 11, 2009; 03:33 PM


Jock Sanders is charged with DUI.

MORGANTOWN -- West Virginia University Football Coach Bill Stewart has announced that sophomore receiver Jock Sanders has been suspended indefinitely, after a DUI arrest over the weekend.

Stewart says the suspension is pending the legal process.

Stewart will have no further comment on the matter at this time.

Sanders is free on bond.

A Monongalia County sheriff's deputy arrested Sanders after he reportedly failed several parts of a field sobriety test and his blood alcohol level tested above the legal limit.

A deputy pulled Sanders over for going 36 MPH in a 25 MPH section of Stewartstown Road and crossing the center lane.

Sanders had a blood alcohol content of .125, according to the criminal complaint.

This is Sanders' second arrest in the past year.

He and three other WVU football palyers were arrested and charged with battery, after a fight outside a Morgantown nightclub, last February.

Sanders is a sophomore wide receiver and running back from St. Petersburg, Fla.

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User Comments [ post comment ]
User Comment
Colin
11/18/09 at 9:30 AM
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Hey...learn how to spell Houston...you're the one with the problem
User Comment
Michael Lucas
2/13/09 at 12:55 PM
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blah, blah, blah. sounds like a bunch of sheep getting each other riled up. lol
User Comment
puttin it out there
2/11/09 at 4:11 PM
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Every student in Morgantown has drove after drinking. He did it stupidly going above the speed limit. To say he is lucky no one died is correct but a little much. He wasnt even going fast. Hundreds of DUI's occur in Morgantown in a year. To say that he is a bad kid is just plain stupid. Plenty of people get DUI's when they are young and have just fine lives.
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thomas
2/11/09 at 1:18 PM
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If this were Jock's 1st offense it might be different. Even though he is twenty he should be more aware of the responsibilities that come along with being a star. He is extremely lucky that there was no one involved in an accident . Where would he be if he had killed someone???? Some recent examples of continuing behavior problems (Pacman/Chris henry)
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JoAnn
2/11/09 at 12:04 PM
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Since WVU is listed as one of the top 5 "Party Schools" in the nation, it seems to me that we need to start with correcting this. Jock is like so many other students who attend WVU..he had a "Party" but got caught. We should be ashamed of the "Party School" title and school officials should do something to correct this.
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Keri
2/11/09 at 10:01 AM
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Jock needs to face the reality of the legal system for his actions. He will, too, have to face the punishment handed to him by Coach Stew and WVU. I agree, that some are being incredibly too harsh to brand him as a "disgrace". If we eliminated every student at WVU that ever got behind the wheel after having a few drinks, we'd have very few students left. I trust Coach Stew will make the appropriate punishment for this horrible lack of judgement.
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Sam
2/11/09 at 9:26 AM
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I think everyone needs to just get over it and mind their own business. For the most part I agree with Cathy on this one. But gees people this is some kids life. What if it were your kid? I'm sure you would just say that it was a big mistake and that shouldn't ruin his career in football. Just because he might be incompetent in some areas doesn't mean he is for this team or for this state--but even if he was...its a football team...meant for fun...their kids. Leave them alone and don't criticize their mistakes just because he plays for a college football team, I'm sure he feels bad enough.
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john
2/10/09 at 11:55 PM
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Just last week, Coach Stew said that the players at WVU are men if character adn integrity. I guess this incident will but that philsophy to the test. I just hope the coach doesnt give Jock "slap on the wrist" just because he is a superstar. If he does then his words mean nothing
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Cathy
2/10/09 at 10:57 PM
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He's a kid--football player or not. People make mistakes, just because his are publicized doesn't mean their any worse than anyone elses. Yeah, given, it was very stupid, but just because hes made some mistakes doesn't mean hes a bad person and should branded as this bad terrible person. I'm pulling for you Jock!
User Comment
HAM
2/10/09 at 10:20 PM
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I bleed Old Gold and Blue. It is always disheartening to read about a WVU athlete in a less than desirable situation. I support all WVU football players and I especially like Jock. As with many news stories posted here, many details are still to be discovered and reported. So, I can only comment on what has been published.

First, the laws he is alleged to have broken are civil laws. Speeding 10 mph over the speed limit is a minor offense and is easily solved with a fine and maybe traffic court. Not an offense that affects the university nor the football team. However, DUI is a serious offense and it does affect the university, football team and our community. So, it is appropriate for WVU to take action to enforce the policies directed at those students who violate the rules and laws. I read nothing that indicated he was released from school for this incident. So, maybe it takes something far more serious to cause a dismissal from WVU.

Second, he is innocent until proven guilty. Evidence, such as, crossing the center line, blood alcohol level and failure to successfully pass all portions of the sobriety test were considered in his arrest. I can't say it looks favorable for him,but, to judge him before he gets his day in court is not right. Nor, would I would not be surprised at the outcome of these proceedings.

Third, do we really need to be a poll on his punishment? WVU hired Coach Stewart to handle the football team's affairs. They trust him to make the right decisions and so do I. Not to mention, the governing bodies and Athletic Director are involved in this process. I think Coach Stewart made the right decision. It leaves options open depending on the outcome of the civil hearing. I don't consider this double jeopardy.

Additionally, I see a trend in Jock's behavior and it is similar to some who proceeded him only to fail miserably at a higher level. I say we get him help for his anger and alcohol problems. Keep him as a student. Then, allow him the privilege of being on the football team when he has proven himself worthy.
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Mark
2/10/09 at 9:45 PM
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Should we teach integrity or win football games? I love the Mountainners to win football. However, integrity has to win in the situation. Our football players need to know that we won't allow them to embarrass WV.
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Dan
2/10/09 at 8:24 PM
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How many arrests are too many? How many times has he been given warnings and not cited? I fully support Coach’s suspension pending the outcome of the criminal case. I think that sends the right signal to the players, students, Alumni and to future students that WVU is a fair intuition. Additionally the move by Coach communicates that WVU has standards which it will enforce. We can be competitive and hold our players, students and faculty to standards of moral decency as set forth by the legislature.
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Debby
2/10/09 at 7:03 PM
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How many times will it take before he kills someone? Not to mention he is not a good representative of Mountaineer football. These athletes have to understand that just because they are "jocks" that the laws and team rules do not apply to them. I commend Coach Stew for not allowing these men, who cannot set a good example, follow team rules, and bring disgrace to themselves and the team, NO LONGER be a part of the team--they have to remember, there is no I in team. If, by some chance he is found not guilty, then he could rejoin the team AFTER getting help from AA. Sooner or later, the men on the football team are going to realize they are not dealing with Rich Rod, they now have a head coach who actually has MORALS and is setting working at setting a good example.
User Comment
Susan
2/10/09 at 6:44 PM
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We have a student athlete, 19 or 20 years old, with a 2nd arrest within a year. Hmmmm. "Huston, we have a problem". I don't care if it is a college town, the law says it is illegal for young people under the age of 21 to have alchohol. There is a problem in the area for it to be so easily available. Secondly, if you knew anyone else that had 2 arrests in one year, you would say that kid has a problem. I don't buy the premise that Morgantown law enforcement was looking for athletes to arrest. Third, he's already had once chance to show he can behave himself and apparently believes he's above the standard for others. I agree that Coach Stew should let him go, he may be good, but he's got a character liability. WVU doesn't need a Randy Moss.....
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jeff
2/10/09 at 3:17 PM
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How many of us would have been busted for DUI if we had been pulled over every time we had a few to drink when we were at WVU? Luckily, no one was hurt or killed. He will learn something from this and move on. To where he moves on to, and if he learns from his mistake or becomes a repeat offender, is up to him.
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Tim
2/10/09 at 3:05 PM
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Jock needs help. He will be okay. Coach Stew knows what to do and come spring practice, Jock will have his act together. People we were all young once. Some have done some stupid stuff, but life has ways of showing you new direction. Jock will find his way.
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Cheryl Rosencrance
2/10/09 at 11:09 AM
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Someone get a handle on him!! WV has been embarrased enought my Moss and Jones. Why do these fine young atheletes insist on ruining their lives?? Coach Stewart should crack the whip and let Sanders know that this will not be tolerated by WVU.cg238
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Michael
2/10/09 at 10:53 AM
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How many chances does he need to kill or injure someone? Guess you haven't lost anyone to a drunk driver? Why do you think they call it a football team, one kid isn't going to make a difference. They don't need this cancer on the team and if one gets away with it why not let another get away with it send him down the road
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SS
2/10/09 at 10:52 AM
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I do agree that we need Jock on the team....however, this crime cannot go unpunished just because he plays football. He does need to pay the penalty and spend his 24 hours behind bars or whatever the requirement is in Mon County. I do hope he is still allowed to play next next year.
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David Mayo II
2/10/09 at 10:47 AM
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He's what 19 or 20 years old?? And he's a stud on the football field, although I don't think he should go unpunished but we as a football team can not afford to lose a player of his caliber. Coach Stew I believe will do whats best for Jock and WVU Football as well as the University. 1st offense DUI does not carry a major punishment by the Police so I don't think the school should be to hard on him...
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michael
2/10/09 at 10:24 AM
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This isn't how a student-athlete show act. Send him on his way bill.

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