(Update) Athletic Director releases statement.
As if the Iowa Hawkeyes football program needed more distractions; especially on the same day they take on Mizzou in college football’s Insight Bowl. More fallout from the drug situation in Iowa City was reported minutes ago.
We all knew that star tailback Adam Robinson is not traveling for the bowl game, due to failing to meet his academic expectations. Turns out he’s gotten into some legal trouble too.
Robinson, a 5-9, 205-pound back from Des Moines, IA, led the team in rushing with 941 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. But today his future with the program is in serious jeopardy.
Robinson was arrested for possession of marijuana last night in his hometown.
According to KCRG:
Iowa State Patrol spokeswoman Courtney Greene confirmed Robinson, 21, was a passenger in a car driven by Ermin Zornic, 20, when the car was stopped by a state trooper about 10:45 p.m. on East 4th Street, south of Des Moines Street in Des Moines.
According to a news release, the trooper detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle, and marijuana was found inside the car after a search.
Zornic was charged with possession with intent to deliver marijuana, and OWI charges are pending toxicology tests. He was taken to the Polk County Jail.
Robinson was later released and has a January 5th court date.
With all the negative attention surrounding the Iowa program lately, one could expect Head Coach Kirk Ferentz to take a hard-line approach to cleaning house, and Robinson could be a casualty of those upcoming initiatives.
With Jewel Hampton transferred out of school, Robinson’s possible future with the program now very much in doubt, and the news release about second string fullback Brad Rogers. (He’ll miss the bowl game due to cardiology testing.) Iowa will have some serious issues pertaining to running back depth in 2011.
Iowa A.D. Gary Barta released this statement late this afternoon:
“Kirk and I were made aware of Adam’s situation earlier this morning. Obviously, we are both extremely disappointed to hear the news. We don’t have all of the facts and will withhold any further comment until we return to Iowa City and learn all of the details.”
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, a Midwest webzine. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, the Tribune’s blog network, Walter Football, Yardbarker Network, and Fox Sports
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