Having a full-ride scholarship to a major university is a serious privilege. It is worth more than $100,000. Why would a student-athlete jeopardize this blessing by driving under the influence? I’ll tell you why – because they are a young man and young men are prone to some very stupid decisions.
University of Washington tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins has been suspended indefinitely pending an investigation into his arrest on charges of driving under the influence, according to coach Steve Sarkisian. As reported in www.usatoday.com.
Seferian-Jenkins will be suspended from all team activities while the university proceeds with its investigation. Officers found Seferian-Jenkins standing outside of his car after a one-car accident, visibly intoxicated, with a bloody nose. He was taken to a nearby medical center for treatment.
Sarkisian said Seferian-Jenkins made decisions that fall short of expectations for student-athletes who represent the University of Washington and he will be disciplined internally in accordance with team and departmental policies.
Seferian-Jenkins made 69 receptions for 852 yards and seven touchdowns in 2012, earning second-team all-Pac-12 honors after being named an honorable mention all-conference selection as a true freshman in 2011. While only a junior, he already owns Washington tight end records for career receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
To his credit, Seferian-Jenkins has apologized profusely for the incident. I hope that he gets a second chance. He is a great young player with a long future ahead of him. If he tackles a good Washington DUI program and learns from this mistake his future will be bright.