Jimmy Clausen Finds Himself in the Wrong Place at the Wrong Time...Again

Yesterday, The Big Lead posted pictures of Jimmy Clausen in the general vicinity of what looked to be alcohol. BL also noted that the Clausen and friends were allegedly participating in a thing called "Beer Olympics." Since then, Notre Dame news sources have lit up with stories, and Notre Dame has promised a full investigation. As the article notes, this isn't the first alcohol related trouble Clausen has faced.

It could be the second alcohol-related run-in for Clausen, who was cited in June 2007 for transporting alcohol as a minor.

"I used bad judgment in being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and I've learned from my mistake," Clausen said during his first media appearance after the citation in August 2007.

All evidence to the contrary, Jimmy. If there's one thing you don't want to be, it's a resident of the wrong place at the wrong time. But that's exactly where you are. And you're starting to rival Brady Quinn as the most photogenic quarterback in Notre Dame history. It's not exactly an honor, and it's not an indication that you have learned from your bad judgment.

It will be a surprise if anything comes of this. Despite what those pictures seem to show, there's no evidence that alcohol passed his lips or any of the other Irish players with him. What it is, though, is a distraction to a team that went 3-9 last year. As much as Clausen and his teammates don't want to go through another season like that, you have to believe that Charlie Weis much prefers the "Genius" label to the unflattering labels that have followed him around since last year. Weis has to at least question Clausen's judgment if not his fashion sense. This won't be the one to put Clausen on the bench, or worse, off the team. But it probably will be the one people will look back on if Clausen has any serious off the field issues.

It's not fair that he lives in a world where he can't lead the life of a normal college kid. If it was you or me, those pictures would melt in with the millions of other faceless party pictures on the internet. But being the quarterback at Notre Dame makes you a target. When you show up to announce your choice of colleges in a limo and tux...well...that's on you.

HT: Wiz

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

8-05-2008 @ 9:18PM

Brian said...

Isn't Jimmy Clausen like 30, now?

Also: what are the odds on him growing a Giambistache this year? It needs to happen.

8-05-2008 @ 9:25PM

Johnny said...

Seriously, wasn't he a true freshman last year? I thought I saw in one of those articles that he is turning 21 this year. Did he get held back?

I think he needs to go with the pencil thin mutton chops and goatee. Maybe some enterprising photoshoper can give us a rendering.

8-06-2008 @ 7:58AM

Geo said...

It would be nice if you could spell the head coaches last name if you are going to comment about situation you obviously don't know anything about other than what you have read on The Big Lead or Deadspin. Clausen's other "crime" was driving a person who was over 21 at the time to the liquor store. Apparently thats a crime in Indiana.

But feel free to critique a 20 year old college student for drinking beer while ignoring Urban Meyer reinstating a player who fired an AK-47 in a parking lot, or Georgia having 5 players suspended for their opening game, including one who trashed a hospital parking lot area or complaining that Josh Jarboe got a raw deal for rapping about guns and killing people 3-4 months after getting caught with guns on a school campus.

8-06-2008 @ 7:55AM

terry said...

He was just holding the beer for a friend..rrrrrrrrrrrightterry

Finklefarb said...

Where did the ethics in reporting go that required a checking of sources before going to press? There is no proof that any alcohol was even present at the location where those pictures were taken. The pictures prove nothing.
No, they do, they prove what a bottom feeder it takes to report such garbage.
If AOL continues associating themselves with some of the lowest forms of sensationalistic, character assassination writers in the business, people should cancel their subscriptions.
Clausen and his team mates should not have posed for any pictures, and then again they should not have been where they were. However, it is just plain low class to attempt to smear Notre Dame which is the real target.

8-06-2008 @ 7:50AM

Paddy said...

Hey he's Irish, where's the problem - go pee on somebody else's parade. Prosit! Da Bier ist gute!

8-06-2008 @ 8:00AM

Thanks for the heads up, Geo. Must be a sticky "s" key. :-)

8-06-2008 @ 9:16AM

jake said...

he didn't find himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. he PUT himself there. idiot. He must have thought to himself, "self I can do whatever I want because I am Notre Dame's starting QB." The only problem is being ND starting QB is about as good as being leftover meatloaf at this point.

8-07-2008 @ 10:03AM

Jim said...

Is it so shocking that a college kid would be socializing with friends? He wasn't drunk. He wasn't disorderly. We don't even know if he was drinking. This isn't reporting. This is trying to make up a story.

8-11-2008 @ 6:49AM

chris said...

Clausen problem is>>>he Jimmy Clausen, talk about beleiving ur press clippings...we had to suffer through god knows how many years of his idiot brothers here at UT, thank god he did not come here, heck we did not even want him here, ND is the place for him, two way ove rrated , self absorbed fools, they belong together...i hope hes looking forward to being an assistant QB coach like his loser brothers at some directional school in a few years...... i f i were him id be a drunk too.

8-12-2008 @ 10:43AM

tlcepl said...

chris it kind of looks like you were drunk when you typed your comment. spelll chek is a wonderful thyng huh.

8-13-2008 @ 11:42AM

TLCEPL ur one 2 talk THYNG? what THYNG u must have gone to notre dumb

8-26-2008 @ 4:59PM

HUSKERDIVA said...

Doesn't the Dame have bigger problems than whether Jimmy was or was not drinking or driving someone or whatever he was doing? I love this team and it seems the press always wants to drag 'em down by any means possible. How 'bout we let Charley do what he was hired to do...coach. He'll be fine and if Jimmy needs to be taken to the woodshed, I'm sure Charley will make sure it's taken care of.

8-26-2008 @ 8:54PM

goirish said...

i drink to , if i wasnt as good as exspected

9-02-2008 @ 5:50PM

Bobby Dodd said...

Another year...another season full of yucks........why you ask????

'Cause NOTRE DAME SUCKS!!!!!!!!!

What bowl are you going to lose this year??? IF you can win five games.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA