Carlos Dunlap is one of Florida's best players, and the defensive end is one of the 2010 NFL draft's best prospects. But after he was arrested Tuesday morning and charged with drunk driving, it's fair to wonder whether he'll be on the field for the Gators in Saturday's SEC Championship Game -- and fair to wonder whether NFL teams are going to reconsider whether he's the kind of player they want.Dunlap was arrested at 3:25 AM ET Tuesday after a police officer went to check on reports of a reckless driver near the Florida campus. According to police, the officer found Dunlap asleep at the wheel of his car. Dunlap refused to take a breath test and failed a field sobriety test.
Florida hasn't said whether Dunlap will play Saturday against Alabama, but schools typically suspend players for at least a game after arrests, so it's quite likely that Dunlap won't be on the field on Saturday. Dunlap was the defensive MVP of last season's national championship game and this year he leads the Gators with seven sacks, so if he doesn't play, that would be a big loss.
And for Dunlap, this is the kind of thing that could cost him millions of dollars. Dunlap is a junior who's expected to turn pro after the season and is regarded as a first-round draft pick for next year, but if his off-field judgment is so bad that he'd get arrested for drunk driving before one of the biggest games of his life, that could send his draft stock plummeting. Everything about this story is bad news for Dunlap and the Gators.
Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Sign of the times, I suppose. American people have become so judgemental about things like smoking and drinking, that they would wreck this young man's life. He's a college kid who got drunk and drove a car. No accident, no harm, no foul. I did it, you probably did it, and the vast majority of young Americans have done it. What have we come to as a society?
idiot!
How exactly was his life ruined? He will still get drafted, he will still make millions of dollars for doing what...for PLAYING A GAME. Hmmm...everyone should be so lucky to have thier life "ruined" in this way.
Appears to me that he made the choice to "wreck" his life. What's up with anyone who thinks its ok to drive drunk. Just ask any parent who has lost a child because of a DRUNK driver. We all make choices in our life and must accect the consquences that come when we make the wrong choice. Thank God that he did not have an accident or kill someone because of his bad decision.
It's not like the kid had a couple of drinks and was pulled over for something stupid, HE WAS PASSED OUT AT THE WHEEL. You may have done that, but I know I never did.
I really I'm concerned with the "what's the big deal" comments. We aren't talking about a few beers, this guy couldn't even keep his eyes open, sat in the car with his foot on the clutch. No he didn't kill anyone, does that excuse him? If someone robbed you at gun point and didn't pull the trigger would you not press charges? I'm not saying he's a thug, I'm saying this is more serious than some on this board realize.
Ok it is time for UM to step up and show some class and suspend this bone thug for the season. Mack Brown just suspended one of his players for the remainder of the season for the same offense. I think if all NCAA coaches followed this type of tough love, that all these primma donna's would appreciate the opportunity they have beeen given and not expect a diploma and a NFL contract just cause they are a black athelete.Time for these guys to grow up,be a man and leave the street life behind.
look here son jus cuz my boy mess up 1 time n he happens 2 black u assume he from da streets dat's str8 BS he aint from no dang streets so what is there 2 leave behind u dumba**
So drunk driving is now a right of passage or worse something we say is no big deal if that person can help us win a football national championship? Whatever happened to taking responsibility for your actions and saying you messed up and you accept the consequences, meaning you don't play football. Bet you dollars to donuts that he plays on Saturday with nothing more than a wrist slap.
rory, like it or not, getting drunk and partying is a rite of passage at any university, and getting behind the wheel, while stupid and irresponsible, is common, and does not mean that the young man is a street thug. My hope is that you are judged as harshly as you would judge.
Now come on . Does anyone believe a SEC school would sit anyone down. Florida played Tebow when he shouldn't have played after the concussion. On Tebow if I hear him say God Bless once more I think i will throw up. The heisman for Tebow would be a joke just like the BCS
oh, I guess you are better able to make a judgement call as to if Tebow should be playing or not ??? And may I ask where you got your medical degree---The school did have him checked MANY times during the week and Tebow was given the go ahead----I guess they forgot to ask YOU for your opinion.
By the way, " God Bless "
Ed, I am not judging him by any other yardstick than our laws. If you or I were arrested for drunk driving we would suffer the consequences at our job, within our families, financially etc. Why shouldn't a college football player, that will be reaping millions in a few months, have to sit out a game for his poor behavior?
Sign of the times, I suppose. American people have become so judgemental about things like smoking and drinking, that they would wreck this young man's life. He's a college kid who got drunk and drove a car. No accident, no harm, no foul. I did it, you probably did it, and the vast majority of young Americans have done it. What have we come to as a society?
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Ed, you must be a complete moron ! Do you really believe no accident, no harm , no foul. This kid was passed out drunk at the wheel, what if he killed someone, would you deem that to be OK. He needs to be punished for his irresponsible and dangerous behavior
jimmac536 said...
Sign of the times, I suppose. American people have become so judgemental about things like smoking and drinking, that they would wreck this young man's life. He's a college kid who got drunk and drove a car. No accident, no harm, no foul. I did it, you probably did it, and the vast majority of young Americans have done it. What have we come to as a society?
Reply
Ed, you must be a complete moron ! Do you really believe no accident, no harm , no foul. This kid was passed out drunk at the wheel, what if he killed someone, would you deem that to be OK. He needs to be punished for his irresponsible and dangerous behavior
-------------------------------Exactly the type of judgemental whiner and sniveler that I was talking about. "What if he killed someone?" Fact is, he didn't, and he should be prosecuted for DUI, but that's all. He should not be suspended or branded for life. He made an error and nobody was hurt.
Well well TENNESEE sat those thugs who robbed someone, waited till the facts were shown, kicked two off the team, now lets see if UM does the same talk about the worm turning!!!
Some of you in here are completely insane. You have no idea what you are talking about or you are Alabama fans and want him kicked off the team. The judicial system are the ones that released him R.O.R. because he was behind the wheel and no one saw him driving! That doesn't make a thug, just an idiot. Thugs are people that rob others at GUNPOINT! Huge difference. Did he hurt anyone? Thankfully no. And SRVC you jacka&&, just because you aren't religous so should everyone else? I am an Athiest and could care less how many times he says that, I DON'T CARE and neither should you. It's none of your business, so shut up and worry about yourself and leave the rest to their piers.
So I guess sitting at a red light passed out and the car in gear is a sign that he had not been driving.
Gainesville police spokesman Keith Kameg said officers saw a red 2000 Chrysler stopped at a green light at about 3:25 a.m. on a street near the Florida campus. Officers watched several light cycles before approaching the car. Inside the car, they found the 6-foot-6, 290-pound Dunlap slumped behind the wheel. The driver appeared to be asleep, Kameg said. The vehicle was on and in gear.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/ncaa/12/01/dunlap/index.html?section=si_latest
Truly sad how bitter people are when they see someone up, they want to knock him down. And if someone makes a mistake it means he is a terrible person. DUI is a terrible thing, but not something that should ruin someone future. Give him a chance, let him pay the legal price and get over it. Repeating an offense such as this definitely deserves much harsher penalties. None of us are perfect....
As an athlete involved in a team sport you have a responsibility to your team and teamates. Forget all these comments about "right of passage " and "we all did it" because we all did not!He has let down his school, family, team and himself. A lesson needs to be taught that he and others might learn responsibility and discipline.