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June 13, 2011

Honestly, I expect Anthony Gonzalez to remain suspended from the team through the summer, and reinstated before training camp. I suppose it could end sooner. First he has to have his day in court.

Pitt quarterback and Liberty High School graduate Anthony Gonzalez has a court date on July 11, when he will go before District Magistrate Nancy Matos Gonzalez to face three charges from his arrest last month.

Presumably, no relation. The three charges are: marijuana possession, underage drinking and carrying false identification.

The possession charge is a misdemeanor that maxes out on penalties with 30 days and/or $500 dollar fine. I sincerely doubt that Gonzalez will see any time for what appears to be his first offense. The other two are summary offenses.

Coach Todd Graham spoke about Gonzalez’s situation without saying anything.

Graham said he will consider situations on a “case-by-case basis,” but he added that players are constantly warned about avoiding trouble and being accountable.

“We talk to them every day about the expectations, about the standards,” he said. “We talk to them about being very careful about where you go and what you do because, any time something like that happens, you are always guilty. It doesn’t matter what the situation was.”

Graham didn’t detail his ultimate punishment for Gonzalez, but he said he will consider the team first.

“A lot of times, our heart gets involved and (we say), ‘Golly, this is going to ruin this kid’s career if I kick him off the team,’ ” he said. “But I have to make sure I look at what is best for the program because that is what has to come first.”

Feel free to interpret according to your own biases, because that’s about all you can do with the purposeful vagueness of it all.





I hope he gets a good deal and doesn’t have to take a guilty plea on the POM. That is not something you want on your record, even at 19 or 20.

I don’t know what the trend is in PA, but getting into a deferred adjudication program that would suspend an affirmative finding of guilt on the successful completion of a court ordered program tends to be more difficult to get into if you are a student that will be leaving the county to attend school… like Gonzo.

Hopefully, he can get something worked out with the DA because I have always been excited to see what he can do on the field.

Comment by Greg in New Orleans 06.13.11 @ 9:59 am

He will get a couple Disorderly Conducts and pay a fine …at worst he us eligible for probation without verdict which is a pre-trial disposition program that acts to expunge your criminal record after 6-12 months of probation….in the grand scheme of things this is a minor hit to the kid relating to the criminal justice system.

I’m more concerned about Graham’s punishment.

Comment by Marco 06.13.11 @ 11:01 am

I’m not sure what PA law is but in some states the use of fake identification (driver’s license) has been made into a felony.

It sounds like in this case his fake ID use is a misdemeanor, this kid made a mistake and I’m sure he will in some way pay for it, hopefully, it works out and he learns a valuable lesson.

Comment by WLAT and the Big Beat! 06.13.11 @ 11:47 am

I am really wondering what Graham will do here…add another to pile of kids on the Pitt team with a criminal record? I get that this is a minor violation and all, but after the embarassing SI article, you can’t just let the kid off. I have to imagine he will get at least a lengthy suspension

Comment by BCPITT 06.13.11 @ 11:49 am

I still maintain that he knew the rules and needs to go. Otherwise we are back to the undiciplined days of Wannyball where kids can’t be bothered to wear the right cleats and can’t beat Bowling Green. We wanted change, so now that it is here why are we practicing depth chart justice??.
There has to be consequences!

Comment by Kurt 06.13.11 @ 12:16 pm

Running the streets late at night, drinking AND smoking pot? This is bad all by itself. But these actions in light of the new found emphasis at Pitt related to off the field troubles equals really bad news for Gonzo. I’m thinking that the decision at this point is either to suspend him for the season, or kick him off the team…Count me in the suspension corner. What he did was irresponsible and selfish, but he did not drive drunk, commit some felony in his stoned state, or hurt anyone but himself and his team…Suspend him for the year and send a loud and clear message to his teammates.

Comment by HbgFrank 06.13.11 @ 12:34 pm

Is the program in trouble, or did it just experience a bad year last year?

A lesson to be learned, however, is that the poor comportment and attention to details off the field appeared to have an effect to what occurred on the field. ASs I recall, Pitt under Wanny was always one of the least penalized teams in the BE, and that certainly wasn’t the case this past year.

Just two short years ago, we were maing fun of PSU for being singled out on ‘Outside the Lines’. Yes, we cannot repeat this past year, but on the other hand, I’m not ready to declare martial law.

Comment by wbb 06.13.11 @ 1:14 pm

Off topic, but I just saw that Omar Calhoun committed to UConn. Bummer.

link to sports.espn.go.com

Comment by Pantherman13 06.13.11 @ 1:34 pm

Bummer on Calhoun, but I am liking the fact that we have the 7 footer from New Zealand coming on board…can you imagine the potential front court in a year or two with Khem Birch, Malcom Gilbert, and Steven Adams? All 3 are 4-5 Star bigs with Gilbert and Adams both in the 7 foot range…WOW. Hopefully Khem will stick around a few years.

Comment by BCPITT 06.13.11 @ 2:15 pm

My, my we have stern judges among us! “Give us a pound of flesh!” Pitt should not allow SI or ANY media outlet determine a course of action. Let the punishment fit the crime. Put Gonzo on probation with a stern warning and restore him to the team–please. After all, the young man , unlike some humans, does not have a criminal record. “The quality of mercy is not strained”. Rev. George in Columbus where recruits are still filing in. See the ESPN note about the Steubenville gridder who just verbalized with Coach Fickle.

Comment by Rev. George Mehaffey 06.13.11 @ 2:40 pm

Rev George,
I do believe in 2nd chances, but I have to think that Coach graham made it abundantly clear that there was no wiggle room and still Gonzo went out and put himself in this position. He is only a back up quarterback. Should be made an example of! Either that or forget disipline entirely. Graham needs to establish the rules with out a bunch of gray areas.

Comment by Kurt 06.13.11 @ 2:45 pm

There is no excuse for what happened last year but realize this … the main subject of that SI story was Jabal Sheard, who by ALL accounts was an exemplary student-athlete throughout his Pitt stay … ALL ACCOUNTS!! Not only was his charges lessened (no doubt due to being provoked), he also went on to become BE defensive player of the year and 2nd round draft pick.

Now there were certainly worse crimes committed last year and those players were indeed released. However, I don’t believe Gonzo should pay for all previous crimes. Don’t get me wrong, if he screws up again (anything more than failure to come to a complete stop) then he should be sent packing.

Comment by wbb 06.13.11 @ 4:14 pm

wbb, I concur with your reasonable blog. Of course, I will support Coach Gramam’s decision. In the climate of college athletics today coaches MUST set boundaries, but the future of any human being should not be determined by unproven allegations, rumors or what the media publishes to get the story and capture the market. Rev. George in Columbus where the real culprits in the Tressel/Pryor scandal may yet emerge unscathed.

Comment by Rev. George Mehaffey 06.13.11 @ 4:39 pm

Rev. George, “Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time” is the saying I believe. In this day and age, underage drinking and pot use by a lot of people is common place, however that does not make it acceptable, especially when you have a higher moral code to adhere to than the everyday adolescent dumbass. So if you intend to violate the law and ignore the code of conduct that has been clearly put in place by Graham then you have to expect to have things come down on you. Diaz got thrown off the team for a drunken resisting arrest offense. Is he the scapegoat while Gonzalez is just the unfortunate kid who got caught? If this program is serious about cleaning up it’s act and developing a team code of conduct that is followed by well disciplined young men then the hammer falls on Gonzalez too. IMHO anything less than a years suspension from the team with the option of agreeing to release Gonzalez from his scholarship if he wants to tranfer demonstrates to me that Graham can talk a good line but can’t walk that same line when the sh*t hits the fan. The sooner these kids get the message that their ass is on the line when they do this kind of stuff the sooner they decide NOT to do that kind of stuff by their own self discipline. Which, of course, makes it much easier to stay out of harms way. Please understand, I personally don’t really think that you have to have a bunch of choir boys on the team, BUT I am saying that if Pitt is committed to wanting a clean program that answers to a higher calling, then you have to deal out the discipline harshly when it is warranted. Too bad for Gonzalez, he did this to himself. He needs to be made an example of just like Diaz was. Sooner or later the rest of the team will get the message Graham is sending. When that happens then a clean program will be the result.

Comment by Dr. Tom 06.13.11 @ 4:53 pm

Cut him now

Comment by Tony C 06.13.11 @ 7:05 pm

There is no excuse for what happened last year but realize this … the main subject of that SI story was Jabal Sheard, who by ALL accounts was an exemplary student-athlete throughout his Pitt stay … ALL ACCOUNTS!! Not only was his charges lessened (no doubt due to being provoked), he also went on to become BE defensive player of the year and 2nd round draft pick.

Sheard’s excellent play was great, but not at all important to this discussion. His behavior is what counts here. He stayed out of trouble, acted as a true leader, and I believe graduated (?). This is what justified excusing his behavior, not his performance.

If a the player’s potential is what determines the punishment, this team is in big trouble. If the coaches aren’t consistent, the players will very quickly realize it is all just talk.

Comment by Pwmcdupitt 06.13.11 @ 7:19 pm

And by the way, I think the basketball player that stole from the restaurant committed a MUCH bigger crime than Gonzalez did. Disregard for another’s property or livelihood is a lot worse than being really stupid.

Comment by Pwmcdupitt 06.13.11 @ 7:22 pm

Pwmcdupitt, I wholeheartedly agree that Sheard’s post-arrest behavior counted more than his on-field performance. My points were (1) that being an exemplary student-athlete, he desrved another chance, and (2) if he wasn’t given that chance, just look what he may have missed out on.

Comment by wbb 06.13.11 @ 7:56 pm

Frankly, I don’t think it matters what the coaches tell the kids or how the punish them, even if it is a very harsh punishment. As a college student myself, I can tell you that almost everyone I know smokes pot, drinks, and carries a fake ID. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not showing Gonzalez any sympathy but this is what kids do. Its a shame but it is really just the reality of life and I’m sure several other players on BCS teams do the same but just haven’t been caught yet. What the coaches say really doesn’t mean much to these kids i.e. Ohio State fiasco

Comment by Alex P 06.13.11 @ 8:15 pm

It’s funny to me that fraud(fake ID) and illegal drugs are supposed to just be reality….I was a student @ Pitt from 03-07 and sure I got in my fair share of trouble, but not once did I expect that if caught I would just skate by with no consequences. I know from friends that if cited with underage by Pitt police you are forced to go through a drug and alcohol program first offense. If you are caught in the dorms, you risk getting kicked out of them for the rest of your academic career – I actually knew a kid that was banned from all dorms by 2nd semester of freshman year. Maybe the kids just don’t care, but they all know what they are doing is wrong and that they stand to be held accountable why do you think people scatter like a pack of mice when a house on Atwood or Bouquet is busted? Don’t throw the kid off the team, but you need to send a strong message that if you break the rules you won’t just be suspended for a meaningless Maine game.

BTW I think the Sheard argument is just crazy. He played great for us, and I wish him the best in the future, BUT I don’t care if someone taunts you or even punches you square in the face – to throw someone through a plate glass window and pummel them even AFTER the police arrive and taze you, is just beyond belief. If the valedictorian made “a mistake” of that nature he would be locked up. People deserve second chances, but for him to not miss a single quarter was a disgrace.

Comment by BCPITT 06.14.11 @ 6:50 am

BTW…those random students at a house party on Atwood don’t stand to lose NEAR what these athletes stand to lose and according to Graham they have pounded that fact into their heads….Welcome to the real world…

wbb if your boss picked up the paper this morning and read that you were arrested on 3 charges – possession of illegal drugs, false identification, and lets just say some other summary offense assuming you are of legal age to drink – how do you think he/she would react? I have to imagine that in many workplaces that would be grounds for serious action.

Comment by BCPITT 06.14.11 @ 6:58 am

BCPITT, actually I was once arrested for underage dring – 12 days before my 18th birthday (not 21st.) Had to pay a $35 fine and that was it — this was decades ago.

I also did some illegal, irresponsible things in college but nothing more than than many others.

Yet, I turned out fine (I guess that is subject for debate.) Except for a few speeding and illegal parking tickets (a couple in Oakland), I have not been cited. I guess maybe this is why I am the champion of the 2nd chance!

Comment by wbb 06.14.11 @ 7:40 am

clarification — underage ‘drinking’

Comment by wbb 06.14.11 @ 7:42 am

I think what is missed here with the Sheard incident isn’t whether he was a good person – apparently he was – or whether he was a good football player – and he was… but the fact that he had zero ramifications incurred from his illegal and violent actions.

Wannstedt committed a cardinal sin of leadership when he didn’t, at least, suspend Sheard for even a small amount of playing time. He didn’t even suspend Sheard from taking part in summer camp. In essence, he gave Sheard a phantom “suspension” due to his place on the depth chart and his value to the team.

That sent a huge message to the rest of the kids on the roster. It was blatantly obvious that DW was scared to death to suspend Sheard in the start of the season with the Utah game coming up – and with his other DE hobbling around. That inaction on his part was a major miscalculation.

Was it any wonder that after that July incident we had multiple other problems? But, if you’ll remember Keith Coleman had much the same situation, where he was provoked into a fight… and DW dismissed him immediately. Dan Mason gets caught up in another player’s drunken accident and gets suspended for some Playing time. But Sheard gets a complete pass? Either shit or get off the pot as they say – but don’t play favorites when you expect the other players to adhere to what you say.

The problem was DW was trying to close the barn door after the cows got out. There was no set standards in place. DW did the right thing IMO with Knox and Douglas only after the blowback from the Sheard situation.

This is what Graham has to address, clearly lay out standards & discipline measures to the team and then strictly adhere to them.

We haven’t heard the words “Zero Tolerance” from Graham and I’d be shocked if he dismisses Gonzalez from the team. But he certainly should administer some concrete punishment and stick to it regardless of how much the player might be needed on the field or on the depth chart.

Comment by Reed 06.14.11 @ 8:05 am

Anthony Gonzales you are a stupid punk!!! You are gone from the program or will be ya dummy!!! How damn dumb can u be???? You are dumber than Congressman Anthony Weiner!!!! Good luck at Youngstown State!!!!!

Comment by RandyRndyTime 06.14.11 @ 10:55 am

wbb…I get your point and I am in no way an advocate of kicking Gonzo off the team. Maybe decades ago they didn’t care as much about the “boys will be boys” stuff like they do now. I know from a couple friends who received University ramifications for violations like underage drinking – granted they were on campus incidents.

I believe in second chances, but I also believe in being responsible for your actions. He was wrong regardless of how petty it was. You have to draw the line somewhere or all the players will come in and say “well coash you know it was only 2 misdemeanors…cut me some slack” Suspend him a 3-4 weeks in the fall, put him on some sort of probation and move on. If he keeps it clean the rest of the way then he’ll be fine.

A few weeks in the fall as a RS FR isn’t going to ruin his career, but it might be the wake up call he and his teammates need to realize that this coach means business.

Comment by BCPITT 06.14.11 @ 11:01 am

Mark Myers come on DOWN!!! Mark you are thee # 2 Quarterback now and one snap crackle pop away from being the Pitt starter!!! Go Pitt!!!Tinko be careful as i am not sure Mark Myers is ready yet!!!

Comment by RandyRndyTime 06.14.11 @ 11:04 am

Prior to x-ferring to Pitt, I was processed through the Bethlehem Court System. I was busted on underage possession of alchohol since I was in a car that had a six pack inside of it, but no 21 year old. I was not driving, I was not holding the beer and I was found not guilty only after going to court. Judge Matos threw my case out immediately. The police department there incorrectly interprets the law in the fact that they find you to be in possession of anything in the car and sort it out later. Chances are he was just in the car with it and therefore in possession. Otherwise he’d already have gotten the boot since he isn’t even a starter.

Comment by Dave G. 06.14.11 @ 11:56 am

@Dave G.. Excellent point that we all must consider, the innocent until proven guilty issue. Until July 11th when Gonzalez has his day in court, these charges are just that. Accusations need to be proven in a court of law for all 3 of these charges. If Gonzalez is lucky and/or was falsely accused in his arrest and gets off on these charges without a solid conviction then there should be no repercussions from his arrest at all. That is Graham’s 1st responsibility, to wait for due process, which is probably why no decisions have been made on his part as of yet. My previous post pertained only if conviction of the charges transpire.

Comment by Dr. Tom 06.14.11 @ 3:23 pm

I can’t believe some people on here are calling for the kid to be suspended for the year or kicked off the team.. Beyond ridiculous.. He’s how old? 19-20?.. He smoked some weed and drank.. Who on this sight didn’t do at least one of those things in college.. Suspend him a game or two and put him on probation..

Comment by jmm0205 06.14.11 @ 5:09 pm

Dr. Tom – While I get your point, I have to disagree with something you said. The University Administration and the Head Coach are not obligated in any way to “wait for due process”. That is solely the burden on the actual state’s court system and is separate from whatever standards the school imposes on its players.

Regardless of what the actual disposition by the circuit court in Gonzalez’s case is – if he broke the rules set out and which he agreed to within the university’s football program (and student requirements) he should be punished by the university separably.

Coach Graham may have imposed a rule that his player’s are not to be in possession of illicit drugs or alcohol at all if they are under 21 – or even in company of those who are partaking in those actions. He may impose curfews, dress codes, grooming standards, classroom standards, language standards… any number of things that may not be covered by the criminal codes of the state.

It could also work the other way – the state might write traffic citations and the school may not care about them at all – as an example.

This isn’t double jeopardy but is the reality of what is imposed in many different arenas – the workplace, the military, etc… and is the responsibility of the athlete to adhere to.

Laws are made regardless of what the individual person wants – but the people are still obligated to abide by them. Regulations and standards of conduct, on the other hand, are voluntary agreements the individual makes with an institution and are separate from the other. They can opt out of being obligated to those standards by removing themselves from the entity’s reach.

Comment by Reed 06.15.11 @ 5:29 am

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