Longhorn Running back D.J. Monroe suspended indefinitely following DWII
Posted: Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:42 PM - 10,561 Readers
By: KXAN News
photo by KXAN News
University of Texas football running back D.J. Monroe is suspended indefinitely following the UT's win over Baylor after being arrested and charged with a DWI early Sunday morning.
A Hays County sheriff's deputy said he saw Monroe driving in an "erratic
manner" near the RM 967/Buda exit around 1 a.m. Sunday in Hays County.
He was the only occupant in the 1996 Buick Park Avenue vehicle,
according to Hays County sheriff’s officials.
However, UT Head Coach Mack Brown said things aren't matching up.
"His story is very different from the officer's story," said Brown.
Still, he said they will wait until the legal process takes its course and
then will decide what to do with the red-shirt freshman returner.
Monroe is No. 2 in the nation in kick returns.
Brown said texts
between Monroe and another another coach confirmed he was in his room
at 11:15 p.m. Saturday, just before another coach went to check on the
football player in his room at 11:45 p.m.
"Our coaches did
everything they can do, and the kids are accountable," said Brown.
"They need to understand that. That's just part of the deal."
The head coach said during a press conference Monday morning that Monroe
will stay at practice and will remain on the scout team. Aside from
official charges, Brown said Monroe will be disciplined for being out
too late.
Monroe burst onto the scene as a red-shirt freshman in
the opener when he returned the kick against Louisiana-Monroe for a
touchdown and then against UTEP became the first Longhorn in history to
return two kickoffs for touchdowns in the same season - in all, 14
returns.
"He will not have any impact on our game this weekend,
and he will not be involved until we get more answers from the legal
system," said Brown.
The 20-year-old football player from
Angleton, Texas was booked and released after paying a $3,000 bond
around 11 a.m. Sunday for a driving while intoxicated charge.