Boy, how strange for this to break today after our discussion. I heard two radio hosts talking about this today and how 7 players have been kicked off the team or had run ins with the law since April, 3 are black.
USU Football Player Kicked From Team
LOGAN Utah State football player Tony Pennyman was dismissed from the Aggie football team for a violation of team rules it was announced by head coach Brent Guy on Tuesday.
"This dismissal follows the basic procedures we have for repeat offenders," Guy said. "Tony knew his situation and did not comply."
Antonio Pennyman, 21, was taken into custody after witnesses told police they saw him fighting with the woman in a parking lot.
Pennyman was booked for assault but has not been formally charged yet. Police say the woman's injuries were minor.
Pennyman, a senior wide receiver from Hayward, Calif., had caught four passes for 49 yards in two games this year. He entered the season as USU's top returning wide out having made 63 catches for 741 yards and five touchdowns in 2005.
"We hope that Tony can get his life in order and we wish him the best," Guy said.
Pennyman becomes the seventh Aggie with legal troubles in the past two months. Last month, redshirt freshman Taylor Wallace was charged with a felony drug distribution charge, and five teammates - Steven Downs, Marcus Cross, Kendall Fisher, Brennan McFadden and Ryan Tonnemacher - were cited for marijuana possession and paraphernalia possession.
Back in April, former Aggie backup QB Jerod Walker pleaded not guilty to a first-degree felony charge of aggravated sexual assault.
Here's an excerpt from the article on the drug charges on August 4.
"Coach Guy is willing to give people a second chance," Strauss said. "If they do something again, he's pretty quick to pull the trigger. This is not Steven Downs' first violation."
Downs, 19, was projected to be a backup linebacker. The Anaheim, Calif., native had four years of eligibility remaining after not playing as a freshman last season.
Downs and four teammates were given misdemeanor marijuana citations July 22 after police responded to complaints of drug use at a Logan apartment.
Guy said the players quickly told him about the incident. The other four -- Kendall Fisher, Marcus Cross, Brennan McFadden and Ryan Tonnemacher -- have been punished and won't miss any games, Strauss said.
Pennyman
Wallace
Walker
Downs
Cross
Tonnemacher
Fisher
McFadden
Edited by: Colonel_Reb