UF Linebacker Antonio Morrison Arrested For Barking At A Police Dog

BlutarskyTFM13 years ago

These days, it seems like college athletes are finding it increasingly difficult staying out of trouble. Maybe it’s the fame that comes with playing for a big school with a well-known program, but for some reason these guys seem to have a hard time keeping their hands clean, let alone out of cuffs.

The most recent player to have a run in with the law is Antonio Morrison, a linebacker for the University of Florida. According to a report from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, law enforcement personnel received a suspicious activity and disturbance call at 3:43 AM on July 21st. Upon arriving at the scene, officers began investigating a vehicle outside a Gainesville hotel.

At the same time, a group of men were walking down the street where the investigation was taking place.

One of the men reportedly approached the patrol car and began barking at his police dog through the open window. The report said that caused the dog, named Bear, to bark back at the man, which [Officer William A. Arnold] says in his report diverted his attention from investigating the vehicle.

Arnold instructed Morrison to wait in front of the patrol car, but when Arnold tried to handcuff him, he resisted. Two additional officers had to assist Arnold before Morrison could finally be restrained.

What was Morrison’s defense? As per a statement he gave to police, he barked at the dog because, according to him, the dog barked at him first. That makes a lot of sense.

As you might expect, Morrison’s coach is less than pleased.

“I’m extremely disappointed in Antonio Morrison’s decision making,” Florida coach Will Muschamp said in a statement. “He has been suspended from the team and will miss at least two games to begin the season.”

He’s probably even more pissed considering this is the second time in just over a month that Antonio Morrison has been arrested. The first time, he was arrested for battery after punching a bouncer in the face after not being given a discount for the cover at a nightclub.

I’m no lawyer, but personally, I’m not too sure about the legality of the most recent arrest. I feel like barking at a police dog, while pretty stupid, isn’t illegal. If the police didn’t have a legitimate reason to arrest him in the first place, then I don’t think his subsequent actions and resistance are illegal. Like I said, I’m no lawyer. As for the first arrest, yeah, he kind of deserved that one.

[via ESPN]