OU Running Back Joe Mixon Suspended For 2014 Season

The University of Oklahoma released a statement Monday afternoon announcing the suspension of freshman running back Joe Mixon for the 2014 season. According to OU’s statement, David Boren accepted Bob Stoops’ recommendation of a season long suspension. Additionally, Mixon will be “excluded from all team activities” but will be allowed to continue as a student.

Below is the official statement in full:

mixon

This is very much in line with what TFB reported yesterday with the expectation that Mixon would not be available for the 2014 season. We’ll continue to bring you updates on this story as they become available.

171 Comments

  • Patrick Rice says:

    Does this mean that Mixon still has 4 years of eligibility and retains his redshirt if needed?

    • Jordan Esco says:

      I believe that is correct, yes.

      • dahldennsull says:

        I’m not so sure. Once you enroll at a university your eligibility clock starts ticking, whether you are on a team or not. You have 5 years to play 4 years, thus kids on athletic teams have the opportunity of a redshirt year. I believe he will have 4 years to play 4 with this, and will be considered a freshman next year.

        Think of the walk-on kickers for OU or even Tech in the past. Just because they didn’t play on the team for 1 or 2 years, then come out, they don’t get 4 years plus a redshirt whenever they make the team. It’s also why baseball players who come back to school get the full 5 years to play 4, because they never enrolled in a college and started their NCAA clock.

        • James D-Space says:

          You may be right. However, if Joe is as good as we all think he is, he was only going to be on Campus for 3 years anyway.

          • dahldennsull says:

            Problem with that though, is it is 3 years after HS graduation. So if he really is that good, he could leave after 2 years of playing now.

        • Ed Cotter says:

          You are right dahl. I didn’t play my freshman year at Humboldt State, but did play my Sophomore year and was classified as a Soph, but 2nd year Freshman in regards to my eligibility. I still had three years after that one to play.

  • cpearc00 says:

    Any word on Mixon’s reaction to this? Is he willing to stick around and try to move past this or has he expressed a desire to transfer?

    • Jordan Esco says:

      From what I understand, this news should not have come as a surprise.

      • soonermusic says:

        I have a feeling there was some concern that he might get suspended “indefinitely” or removed from the team permanently. This is a move that shows a lot of faith in Mixon, and I think he will respond appropriately.

  • Daddy R says:

    Wow. A little more than a redshirt I would say. But, if this is what Bob feels is best, than frankly, I’m happy he made the decision he did. I don’t think Bob would bow to PR, he must have felt this decision was most appropriate, for whatever reason. And I’m willing to bet he knows more about the truth than anyone besides Joe.

  • Travis Hill says:

    wow, wonder if him and his parents saw that coming…

  • soonermusic says:

    After seeing the info that came out regarding the results of the investigation, this is what I expected to happen. Hope it works out for the best.

  • Jeremy Phillips says:

    not exactly like a redshirt… if he’s suspended from team activities… then he can’t even practice… and is this for only the fall? or will this also include the spring…? if it includes the spring… he’ll be so far behind the 8 ball, he may never get on the field at Oklahoma..

    • Jordan Esco says:

      If Stoops or OU provide further clarification then we’ll be sure to update everyone here.

  • SoonerfanTU says:

    Hope he sticks around, but I’m expecting a transfer.

  • LongBomber says:

    He will transfer…

    • Jordan Esco says:

      Been told otherwise, but obviously that’s a possibility.

      • LongBomber says:

        Sure hope you’re right…….(and you usually are)!

      • White Goodman says:

        Good source?
        I cannot imagine he would stay if he is no longer on scholarship.

        • Ed Cotter says:

          He still gets financial aid, which most likely entails his scholarship. Bob took a real hard line on this Mixon thing, which is per the norm with him. Time to move on and get ready for LA Tech in two weeks. BOOMER!

  • lebval15 says:

    not even being able to practice with the team is obviously a lot different than a redshirt. hope I’m wrong, but it’s tough to see him sticking around with that condition.

  • White Goodman says:

    Regardless of the courts ruling, the team has a code of conduct to uphold. To me, breaking a girls face (don’t care what she said) is suspension worthy. I’m sure the video evidence is very damaging as well.

    • paganpink says:

      It isn’t what she said that resulted in him striking her. It was the shove and HER striking HIM first according to the D.A. He felt it was excessive- not unjustified.

  • Pimp of the Year says:

    If he transfers he would be lose just as much time. What would be the point of transferring. He would be ineligible to play anywhere while his disciplinary suspension is place.

    • SoonerfanTU says:

      Assuming he left now, he could at least practice. I don’t care what anybody says, being forced to be away from the game for a full year is tough. This is a dude that thought he was going to come in and start from day 1, and now he isn’t even on the team for a year?

    • Hartshorne Miner says:

      Just guessing here but don’t you think that Stoops discussed punishment with Joe and his family? Not in the form of negotiation but as in here’s what we plan to do and you can stay and be part of the team next year or we’ll kick you off the team and you can leave now and set out the year somewhere else. I’m thinking if this was handled in the right way with Joe and his parents, he stays.

  • D'Brickashaw Ferguson says:

    Removed from the team for a misdemeanor? That’s not a redshirt, that’s no team activities whatsoever. How is this case different than Jalen Mills at LSU? He’s currently practicing.

    This is really excessive to me.

    • CS says:

      Did you say LSU? I see an answer in your question – lol!!

    • soonermusic says:

      Maybe so, but judging by the way Stoops has handled things in the past, it was not a foregone conclusion that “indefinite suspension” or simple removal from the team were out of the question. Stoops isn’t LSU or anywhere else for that matter.

      • D'Brickashaw Ferguson says:

        I understand that OU “isn’t LSU” and I’m not condoning how LSU disciplines their players. And I also acknowledge that Stoops is notorious for removing players for disciplinary infractions.

        But OU is currently fighting for DGB to play. A guy also removed from a D-I team for a violent act against a woman. How can they stick up for a guy with repeated offenses but remove a freshman charged with a misdeamenor?

        • soonermusic says:

          I don’t think we’ll resolve this, but there are differences. Whether you agree with the DGB thing or not, it wasn’t here, there weren’t multiple broken bones, charges were not filed, there wasn’t a video…

          • D'Brickashaw Ferguson says:

            I think you’re right. It happened at OU, there’s a (prob damning) video, etc. Stoops & Boren must’ve seen the tape today and said this was the only option.

            IMO, Joe’s timing couldn’t have been worse. People are angry at the NFL’s handling of Ray Rice that any player’s action against a woman will be handled in a strong manner for PR reasons. Except for LSU or Ohio State (Carlos Hyde).

    • Lesslie Stanford says:

      That guy got an assault misdemeanor Mixon didn’t even get that!

  • lebval15 says:

    Maybe Mixon needs to get a photocopy of DGB’s runoff waiver. Looks like he may be filling one out himself.

    • Ed Cotter says:

      They didn’t kick him out of school like Mizzou did DGB. He wasn’t just kicked off the team, but out of school entirely. Mixon is just suspended from football activities and can still go to school at OU. Big difference between the two.

  • Ryan says:

    Did Ryan Broyles get suspended or did he redshirt as punishment? Could he practice and participate in team activities? Was he on scholarship still?

    • Lesslie Stanford says:

      He was redshirted and practiced.

    • Zack says:

      I think the difference is that broyles wasn’t going to leave regardless but if you told mixon he’s redshirted then he may leave, sit out the year and play somewhere else next year. But with him being suspended he is still signed to ou and wouldn’t be able to sign anywhere until next year I suppose? Could be wrong but the issue with fields from tcu not being able to go to another school while suspended.

      • Zack says:

        So I may be way off but by suspending him he can’t go anywhere this year while suspended. And if he waits to transfer then ou could not allow him to go anywhere so he would have to sit out 2015 if he goes to a D1 school. So 2 years without playing or sit one year grow up and try again next year with the school he WANTED to go to which is ou.

  • Brad Warren says:

    Excessive. He will definitely leave.

  • Allen P says:

    He may transfer but the question is if he does stay will he have a scholarship next year?

  • jakeC says:

    This is OU not LSU or any other school, seems to me like the big three of, Castiglione, Boren, and Stoops saw the video, it looked really bad and decided this was the best route.

    • paganpink says:

      I bet they didn’t. It’s sealed by order of the court. I don’t believe they would give them access. He’s hosed because of Shannon, DGB, et al. Bad timing to be acting aggressive towards a female in the midst of the others problems.

      • soonermusic says:

        I don’t think the cases of the others has much to do with how they treated this one. That has never ever been Stoops’ m.o., and I’m sure they think this case stands on it’s own merits.

      • jakeC says:

        It was sealed at court, they went before court. I honestly don’t know if they saw it but would think they just have for it to have been this harsh.

      • ND52 says:

        You can’t tell me that the head coach at OU doesn’t have reliable contacts within the local PD who keep him up to date on stuff like this.

  • rphdenton says:

    …..could the result have been influenced by the optics of dgb and the ongoing shannon story….iow, too much going on in the negative column ….also seems awkward to have the pres of the univ meeting with the da on a student problem with the law

  • Zack says:

    I am very surprised by the punishment I don’t think it fits the crime unless the video is that bad and he got off easy.
    But stoops and company have always been tough on their guys but it’s not like he kicked him completely off the team. IMO I hope mixon has the right people in his ear letting him know how much worse this situation could have been. And for him to take this as an opportunity to get better as a person and a player. Like I said earlier this is one year without taking a pounding and he can just spend his days in class and his afternoons at the gym and I imagine still kick it in a nice dorm.

  • Super K says:

    Y’all, I know this topic is generates a lot of varying opinions so just please keep in mind that everyone should be civil and respectful of everyone. Y’all are always good at that and have been in this post so far, but figured it would be good to remind everyone anyhow.

  • Lane Gilstrap says:

    I think some woman needs to go slap David Boren a couple of times and see how he reacts. Maybe he would think differently about this kid.

  • Sean Walker says:

    I am reading the statement from OU that he will remain on a financial aid scholarship, just be removed from football activities…with appropriate conditions.

  • diablodejalisco says:

    well, at least joe knows if a crazy, drunk woman calls him names and slaps him, he should just move along. i just dont think its fair. they should suspend her for a year too. she seems to have started the whole thing.

  • Jared Tyra says:

    As a fellow college student, I was hoping this would come out in the best way for Joe. I still think it has; the guy is going to come out of this disciplinary action (WHEREVER he may be; I don’t think football is most important for Joe in this situation) with a maturity light years beyond where it was during the incident. That in itself will (hopefully) put him a hop, skip, and a leap closer to a successful future in faith, life, career, and then football.

  • Jared Tyra says:

    As for the female student/victim, I’m not sure how those character issues got accepted into the University in the first place…

    • Jed says:

      And, might I say, that I wish her the life she deserves: down by the river, in her engine-less Econoline, with her five kids from five different daddies. Waiting on her gubmint cheese, cooking meth.

    • Eric Hoffpauir says:

      I know that OU is now a selective university, but most who apply still get in by meeting certain standards in high school GPA and ACT scores.

  • SoonerinLondon says:

    We’ve won without JM on the roster, and will continue to do so.
    I hope he stays and has a great career here, but wish him luck either way.

  • j l says:

    Funny how much hate we are getting on message boards, despite the fact we have suspended our leading tackler, and possible starting RB, for a season.

    If we are going to get hit with all this negative PR, even doing the right thing, it makes me seriously wonder if its worth it.

    SEC teams just soak up the negative PR, and move along like nothing happened.

    Hard to win when we go into a gunfight with a half empty clip.

  • Bill Duncan says:

    If this goes to trial and he’s cleared of the charges, could you see this reduced and his ability to practice with the team restored?

    • Ed Cotter says:

      No, this is a team sanctioned, University backed suspension and has nothing to do with the court case at this point. He will continue to be suspended even if found not guilty, it’s just how Stoops works. He may change it pending the results of the trial, but don’t see that as it would go against how he usually works this kind of situation.

  • Stephen says:

    In my humble opinion, what is going to hurt the most is him not being coached up or no training program to attend during his suspension. Rough, maybe excessive, but most assuredly sucks.

    Hypothetical question: If the court doesn’t find him guilty, does the suspension stand?

    • soonermusic says:

      As mentioned before, the legal case, the university rules, and Stoops’ team rules are three different things. I doubt very much that the outcome of the legal case would change the suspension in any way.

    • L'carpetron Dookmarriot says:

      Joe has choices. He could talk to his fellow RB friends and ask them for coaching points that Coach Gundy is providing to them. Perhaps “talking with your buddy” is not thought to be a football-related activity. He might be able to understand from formations or general tendencies where blitzes are likely to come from and, therefore, be a better blocker for his QB.

      He can’t participate in practices or games. However, he can still record games and break them down to understand the concepts. JY does this, so can Joe. Joe can also still work out, and, perhaps, get the workout plan from his buddies that Schmidt is putting the “regular” players through. I’m not on the football team and that doesn’t prevent me from squatting, performing olympic-style lifts, running sprints, or jumping on boxes with dumbbells in my hands [all of which I actually do, minus the sprints ;)].

      He doesn’t have the full range of training that the regular players will have, but he still can do the quite a bit to “stay in the game.”

  • ND52 says:

    Hate to say it but if I’m Mixon…………….I’m gone. And to add insult to injury, the little “princess” who slapped, spit-on and called this kid a n____r get’s to walk away scott-free.

    • Borba22 says:

      That’s what irks me the most, the racial issue here was just swept under the rug.

      • ND52 says:

        I usually abhor people who play the race card but in this case? Totally justified IMHO.

        • soonermusic says:

          You may very well be right, but it from what I’ve seen everything regarding anti-gay slurs, and racist slurs has just been speculation. On stories that are as volatile as this one, it’s sometimes hard to keep track of what is fact and what is partisan speculation.

          • ND52 says:

            He did not punch this girl in the face for no reason. Ask yourself @soonermusic:disqus :had he done that would he be walking the streets of Norman a free man today?

          • bk816 says:

            I dont think the anti-gay slurs were not swept under the rug because the detective mentioned it in the affidavit because he heard it from a witness but left out the racial slurs even though he heard it from a witness. Makes me wonder why.

    • Stephen says:

      NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE.

    • Bill Duncan says:

      How can two people physically assault one another and only one person be charged…..gender bias IMO.

      • ND52 says:

        [Insert politically incorrect comment here.]

        • Bill Duncan says:

          Don’t get me wrong, both are at fault and by all accounts he received what he deserved for making a poor decision. I just think the judgment should go both ways in this situation.

          Then again a busted face may be felt as punishment enough?

          • ND52 says:

            I want proof of those injuries—–verified by an M.D.

          • Bill Duncan says:

            On a lighter note, just ordered tickets to Bedlam. Will be my first time at Gaylord. BOOMER!

          • ND52 says:

            @disqus_FvEIVIFakV:disqus

            One of the great stadiums in all of college football. I just can’t bring myself to call it by it’s new name however.

          • Bill Duncan says:

            Yeah… didn’t the gaylord family just donate a significant amount of money? Sounds more like “sponsorship” to put their name on it.

          • ND52 says:

            @disqus_FvEIVIFakV:disqus

            Donated money to the journalism school I think. Which, to me, is the height of irony considering how amateurish the DOK sports department is.

            “Cough” Jenni Carlson “Cough”

          • Bill Duncan says:

            Speaking of News OK…. What is up with the Tecmo Superbowl Style Football Into. I’m pretty sure you can’t get worse than this…. It’s embarrassing that it’s even allowed to be affiliated with OU. The video intro is an example of what I’m talking about……

            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Hqwyx1rGEQ

          • ND52 says:

            @disqus_FvEIVIFakV:disqus

            After watching Jenni Carlson keep her job year-after-year, nothing surprises nor disappoints me about the DOK anymore. I must say though that listening to Jim Trabor, Mark Rogers and Berry Tramel on the Sports Animal together is quite the splendid trainwreck.

          • OohRahMama says:

            It was, is and will forever be Memorial.

          • brainpimp says:

            If she gets charged with her other pending cases, She does jail time. Utter BS.

    • Hartshorne Miner says:

      I’ve not seen any comments regarding potential for a civil (personal injury) suit. Based on the commercials I see on TV there are a lot of lawyers making a living on cases just like this. Think of the future earnings potential for an athlete of his caliber.

    • leatherneck1061 says:

      Was thinking exactly the same thing. You gotta think Joe feels somewhat betrayed here. Waiting a full year before even having a chance to play? Having a hard time seeing him want to stay after this.

      • Hooknladder says:

        If Joe feels betrayed maybe he shouldn’t have punched a woman who was half his size in the face. He also called someone homophobic slurs. He wasn’t an innocent babe in all of this.

        • Dude You Didn't says:

          Wow Hooknladder, I just clicked on your ID and you definitely have a laundry list of subject lines to read from numerous websites assigned to your Google account. Ha ha ha…truly weird opinionated stuff you post about around the web.

  • Rod says:

    Think about it, I am 18, football my future and you just put me on ice for a year. Can’t stay in football shape. Practicing or playing is completely different than running and lifting. It will take some time to return to top form. Going somewhere else may not allow him to play but he could practice and attempt to stay sharp. What would you do? Easy answer.

    • Exiled In Ohio says:

      Note that the suspension is “for the entire season.” That would imply that on Jan 13th the suspension will be over, and Mixon can start working with the team. That would mean he can play spring ball. It’s still rough for him, but it’s not an entire year.

      • Ed Cotter says:

        Exiled is right, once the 2014 season….after the National Championship Game, ends, Joe will be eligible to participate in Spring Practice and all other team activities.

    • Boom says:

      Team leadership plays a big role in this situation. The team could help him through this tough time and he would form brothers for life. Rally around him, do things with and for him. Leadership can do some amazing things.

  • Fear The Magic says:

    Does he have to move out of Hedington Hall as well?

  • Brad Warren says:

    So does he have to move out of Headington Hall? Punishment seems extreme.

  • shawn says:

    I don’t know how this works but since he didn’t participate in team activities and won’t be a part of the team this year could he still have 4 years plus the redshirt year in eligibility once the punishment is served. Seems like a long shot but thought I’d ask.

    • Shifty says:

      He should have been enrolled in summer schools being on campus and all so his clock has started

  • hOUligan says:

    Just my .02 worth… I feel very bad for Mixon and his family. On what should have been a great night, turning 18 and just starting spring ball at OU, he gets trolled into reacting by some meth-head. Maybe he shouldn’t have been charged at all and maybe it could have been charged as a felony. Bottom line, he’s charged and now suspended. I hope he makes the decision to gut this out till spring and use this as motivation to come out and be the best Joe Mixon he can be in all areas of his life. I wish him nothing but the best whatever his decision as he decided to be a Sooner above all other options open to him last February. I hope he still feels that way tomorrow morning and begins to take it one step at a time to redemption in a Sooner uniform. BOOMER, Joe!!!

  • L'carpetron Dookmarriot says:

    This is an opportunity to fight, to learn, and to grow. Joe has been faced with an obstacle, an obstacle that right now seems very burdensome. Perhaps this obstacle can be viewed as insurmountable because he could leave for another university and that will somehow make things all better. At another university people may forget or simply know about what happened. To them he may be clean of any wrongdoings.

    At OU he is known to have made a poor decision. At OU Joe will have an obstacle to face, to overcome. He will have to endure the difficulties of not being a football player and thinking that his skills are becoming dull. Or he could choose to use this as a chance to develop himself physical and mentally. He can workout, work on technique, watch games, breakdown film, and study the playbook. He is not exiled and without choices. He has many. To grown, to learn, to fight, sometimes the obstacle is the way.

  • herewegosooners says:

    So what happens if he’s not convicted?

    • Zack says:

      There is that possibility but I don’t see this going to trial at all. And honestly the charge may fit the crime. I don’t like the argument from mashburn that if he charged her for a felony then mixon would be charged with a felony also. If her getting charged at all (misdemeanor public intox) was a violation of her probation then so what. I think in a situation where both were wrong then you either give leniency toward both or neither. And if you were to choose to charge one and let the other go then you should go by preceding behavior/actions. To me it makes no sense. I also think the penalty is steep but I’m ok with it because the school won’t want mixon to participate while a trial still had potential and the next court date is 9/23 which means he would miss 2 months of practice/workouts if the trial ended that day which I doubt it would unless a plea deal was researched.

      In short I’m ok with the schools punishment because I think it’s deserved based on the circumstances but the DA has unfairly charged him IMO.

  • Christopher Coffman says:

    So just to confirm, he can still be red shirted in order to preserve this year of eligibility correct?

    • Shifty says:

      If he doesn’t play this year it will be a redshirt…had he not been enrolled thru summer his clock wouldn’t have started but it has

      • Sooner Ray says:

        If he’s redshirting, why can’t he practice with the team? Don’t all redshirts practice and do team activity?

        • Shifty says:

          yeah maybe the term “redshirt” isn’t the right term…I’m pretty sure he’ll have 4 to play 4 since he enrolled in classes this summer thus starting his clock

      • Christopher Coffman says:

        Then in my opinion, Stoops is a genius.

        • Shifty says:

          i don’t see how that makes him a genius lol…he’ll have 4 to play 4 rather than 5..He loses a year of learning the offense with the suspension rather than forced redshirt

          • Christopher Coffman says:

            Haha… you could be right, but just wait and see. I bet ole Bob has some plans in motion.

  • Steve Johns says:

    Bad news for Joe but I’d bet he sticks it out. Especially if Dusty and a few others reach out to him.

  • bk816 says:

    I dont like the suspension at all but more than that I hate the charge. He is being punished for defending himself. Every man should know not to hit a woman but this is not a man. He is a 18 year old kid and should be able to use this situation as a learning experience, not a situation that will haunt him for life. Oklahoma is suspending him to save face or image and that is not fair.

    • Steve Johns says:

      It won’t haunt him for life and OU didn’t suspend him to save face.

      • bk816 says:

        How do you figure that? If he is found guilty that is a violent charge and that effects a lot of aspects of his life. So since you have so much inside information how do you know it wasnt to save face?

      • bk816 says:

        Hate ppl who disagree with me with a blank statement and doesn’t elaborate on their opinions.

        • Steve Johns says:

          He’s charged with a misdemeanor and it will likely be reduced. Coach Stoops has been very consistent in his handling of issues like this. It isn’t the first player he’s suspended for a year. Chill out and stop trying to start an argument.

          • bk816 says:

            I gave my opinion and you simply disagreed with me and im trying to start an argument? Ok guy! I have no problem with you not agreeing with the I just asked that you elaborate.

        • trebizond says:

          I find it laughable to say he was defending himself. I’m sure she was about to really hurt him. If he hadn’t punched her in the face she might have really got him. He would probably have been out for a year due to injury. She might have ended his football career….

          • bk816 says:

            No whats laughable is you thinking women cant hurt men. Like you I dont think she would have caused a season injury but if someone causes you physical pain, no matter how little you can “defend” yourself.

  • Dr. Doobie says:

    This sucks for Joe, but it’s not out of character for CBStoops. Think about Dusty Dvoracek. He went through the exact same thing Mixon is going through. Broyles also went through something similar after his incident. One ended up as the best to ever play his position (RB), and the other one of the best to play his position (DD) at OU. This gives Joe the opportunity to, not necessarily right his wrong, but create a different legacy at the University of Oklahoma. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want to be remembered at Tailback U, as the guy who “beat up”, and I use that very loosely, a “girl”, even more loosely. The punishment is not going to change. Time to accept it and move passed it. If he is as high character of a kid as we hear, he would want to prove everybody wrong, (including % Blevins), that he can overcome this very unfortunate incident, and become a GREAT tailback here at OU. The ball is in Joe’s court. I REALLY hope he decides to stay, and cement his legacy as a kid who overcame a stupid mistake to become yet another great tailback at the University of Oklahoma, and better yet, a great Sooner.

    • Kuzi says:

      Give the kid a chance. He’s 18, he screwed up, let him learn and be a better person because of it: I think leaving Norman would be a terrible mistake for him… I couldn’t think if a better coaching staff to teach him how to grow up and be a man.

    • OohRahMama says:

      Actually, DD had multiple incidents, some not then well-known. It took Dusty putting his friend into a coma for him to get dismissed. Am I in agreement of second chances? Yes. Where’s Mixon’s second chance – compared to DGB’s fourth?

  • Sooner Ray says:

    Don’t understand why there wasn’t a red shirt option, and really don’t understand why the tramp isn’t kicked out of school for her part in this.

  • Shifty says:

    I wouldn’t fault him for leaving since he’s not even able to practice or be a part of the team…I didn’t see that part coming…I’d move back home and redshirt at another school while still being able to play football…that’s taking a lot from him

    • bmrsnr says:

      Doesn’t he have court dates he needs to show up to? Would he just fly in for those if he went elsewhere? Seems the prudent thing would be to get this resolved and stay in Norman.

      • Shifty says:

        Yeah he’d have to fly in for court but I doubt it would drag on…he could be on another team tomorrow and be playing football and getting all of the perks…I still think ban from all football and taking off the roster is pretty harsh…make him sit a year but still develop him

    • Kuzi says:

      He can’t transfer and play right away, even at an FCS school (because he is suspended). He will miss this year regardless.

      • Shifty says:

        I know he would miss this year regardless but he would be playing football tomorrow on another team…he can’t even practice at OU

        • boomersooner says:

          how could he miss this year regardless but play somewhere else tomorrow? if kuzi’s right and he’s suspended everywhere then he’s suspended everywhere. i’m sure there’s rules against suspended players just up and transferring, there’d have to be

          • Shifty says:

            my my my…I don’t mean he will be playing on saturdays…he can transfer to any other school and PRACTICE starting day 1..he can’t do that here…he is only a student

          • boomersooner says:

            “i’m sure there’s rules against suspended players just up and transferring, there’d have to be”

          • Shifty says:

            There are..they’d have to sit a year

        • Kuzi says:

          I see what you’re saying, but going somewhere else just to practice is not particularly enticing. I think he stays.

          • Shifty says:

            If I had something I really enjoyed taken from me…pretty sure it would be enticing to me to go to a place that I could…..I hope he stays too…just sucks that he can’t even practice football…I know its only 5 months but that’s a long time for a kid so far from home

          • Kuzi says:

            He will sit out the season and be right back on the team. He is a freshman in college with a lot of freshman girls…. He will find something to occupy his time

  • Kody K. says:

    I guess I am feeling pretty ambivalent right now especially considering how OU handled the DGB matter. And I am pro DGB, by the way. But, how can you fight so hard to get one kid on the field this year (DGB) who didn’t originally pledge his allegiance to you while admonishing another kid harshly who did pledge his loyalty to you (and also recruited for you). It seems like OU could have construed the same public perception with a forced redshirt as they have with the season suspension. Except, the suspension will alienate Joe further, minimizing opportunities for him to grow as an athlete and as a teammate. I hope he weathers the storm and remains a Sooner and becomes a better man.

  • Rees Bear says:

    I am in no way going to judge either side by pretending to know any details. I’ll trust that what happened was dealt with fairly. I realize that most of us are concerned about Joe’s welfare and how the University is perceived but 99% of what’s been posted on message boards and reported on by the media is based on ignorance.

    I hope Joe listens to his parents and to his OU family and remains at OU, not backing down from adversity- this is an excellent growth opportunity for him and I hope he doesn’t take the path of least resistance by seeking playing time elsewhere.

  • Rene Goupillaud says:

    I trust Bob to do the right thing for OU and Joe Mixon. No matter how you look at it, he made a mistake that resulted in injury. He may have been provoked, but he’s still responsible for his actions. Two wrongs don’t make a right. The misdemeanor charge could have been a felony. A lesser charge s in Joe’s interest. They are giving him the opportunity to take responsibility. He can be responsible and accept their decision, or he can run.

    The character of the man is determined by how he responds to his mistakes, not the mistake. Dusty did it the right way. Hope Joe does the same.

    • Kuzi says:

      Couldn’t agree more, especially the last paragraph.

      • OohRahMama says:

        Frankly, I’m incensed, and this smacks, no reeks, of hypocrisy on Stoops part. DGB makes several huge mistakes and actually gets dismissed from another program entirely, and Stoops lays out the red carpet. Joe makes ONE mistake and Stoops does this? What, is he trying to save face somewhere? I’m absolutely furious, and Bob Stoops’ stature and look of honor has diminished in my eyes. Shame on you, Coach. I hope your rest comes not at all tonight.

        • Kuzi says:

          Ok, go be a poke fan. Fine with me.

          • OohRahMama says:

            Oh, put a sock in it, little one. I’ve been bleeding Crimson longer than the time you were a gleam in your daddy’s eyes..

          • Kuzi says:

            How do you know how old I am?

          • OohRahMama says:

            Judging by your whiny “Go be a Poke fan” post, I’d say not as old as you should be behaving. Not a big fan of allowing someone to vent, are ya?

          • Kuzi says:

            1) I could care less what you think, and guess what, neither does Coach Stoops.
            2) You may be old, but you sure don’t handle adversity in a mature manner… That’s a bad combination..

          • OohRahMama says:

            And Stoops cares about your opinion either? I didn’t tell anyone who disagrees to root for another school. What, if I don’t agree with you you get to tell me to take my ball and go home? Egad. Oh, forget it. I’m over ya. God bless ya, sugarbaby.

          • BigJoeBrown says:

            wat?

          • brainpimp says:

            Totally uncalled for. you are acting like a poke.

        • boomersooner says:

          a second chance for one guy LONG before the next guy makes his mistake. you think bob should just tell dgb to scram now because someone else made a mistake or turn the other way and just let this kid play. neither makes sense to me. on pins and needles waiting for a reply

        • tforce says:

          How do we know the “red carpet” was actually laid out?
          How do we know the submission for eligibility was endorsed by the university? How do we know OU will actually play DGB even if NCAA allows it?

  • Steve Johns says:

    Emotions are running high this evening, I’m out until things cool down some. Not worth getting my blood pressure up. 🙂

  • tforce says:

    Glad this is resolved quickly.
    DGB and Mayfield are unlikely to be resolved positively. Thomas has already used his RS year so it doesn’t really matter.

    Lets play ball!!!

  • brainpimp says:

    It’s not right. The law was not followed.

  • Shelby is a Patriot says:

    Wow…So what happens to the girl? I mean if this is what you get for self-defense, I’m curious what they do for someone who has multiple arrests, underage drinking, assault, etc…

    • Zack says:

      I’m not sure why it doesn’t make sense to me. I still think she should have gotten charged with public intox or some disturbing the peace kind of charge and if that violated her probation then oh well.
      I feel bad for joe because if he wasn’t a high profile local story then there wouldn’t be pressure to make an example out of him. From what I heard on the radio was “the da said if this was 2 guys then there would be no charges” now I think that was someone else’s opinion or interpretation of what was said. But if he said that word for word and I’m joe’s attorney I get a copy of that recorded and just present that as my case and say “what happened to equality?”

      • jotay21 says:

        I agree with this. They both should be charged with felony assault. Also, both should be charged for hate crimes if reports of verbal bashing against gays and blacks are true. Mixon put himself in this position. According to the NPD, he began the verbal altercation. He let himself and his entire team down by starting this altercation.
        He is not somebody that I want to see leading the Sooners in a few years. He can learn a valuable lesson from this and he really is lucky it happened at such a young age. He can and will likely move past this and be a better person going forward due to the altercation. I just hope that the university does not cave and let him back on the team next year. Would be fitting for us to go to the playoff this year and him not be a part of it. Learn first hand what he gave up due to his inability to control his emotions.

      • Brust says:

        Bingo! Charge the gal in addition to her severe injuries! It’s what she gets for walking into Mixon’s fists like that! #StronPimpHand

  • L'carpetron Dookmarriot says:

    Twitter stalker alert. Joe is favoriting a lot of tweets toward him from Sooners fans telling him to keep his head up. It wouldn’t be the worst thing to send him some positive vibes.

    • Jed says:

      I don’t tweet, but that’s exactly what he needs to be doing. Take care of business. Listen to your parents, your attorneys and your coachs. Get covered legally, do your class work, stay in shape. A year is a short time. The game will wait.

  • Christopher Coffman says:

    Stoops, Castiglione, and Boren all met with the DA before the announcement that the charge would be a misdemeanor correct? I wonder if there was an agreement that the charge would be lowered to the misdemeanor if the university promised to do the suspension.

  • Brust says:

    Cleveland Co is the only place in America where you can smash a girl’s face and walk away with a misdemeanor charge. It’s also home of the slowest investigators in the world. If you or I hit a girl in the face; we’d sit in jail until the 30 minute investigation wrapped up. We’d face a judge within 2 days of the incident. We would also receive jail time. Then again, we’re not 5-star recruits in a football town.

  • Matthew Hawkins says:

    Why is he allowed to stay in school?