Brutus654
Reality continues to ruin my life.
Goddard suspended for season-opener
HUNTINGTON -- Marshall University defensive end Jonathan Goddard will be suspended for the season-opener against Troy University on Sept. 4 at Edwards Stadium for his role in a bar fight last weekend.
"We have to suspend Jonathan for pushing a police officer," said Marshall Coach Bob Pruett. "If there are any other charges stemming from the fight, we'll let due process take its course."
The 6-foot, 245-pound Goddard was absent from a practice which began at 3:30 pm. here Monday, but Pruett said that was merely coincidental.
"He has a class scheduled at 4 o'clock," said Pruett, noting that most Monday practices are held in the evening. "That's why he isn't here."
Goddard was arrested outside the 20th Street Bar and Grill here early Sunday morning and charged with misdemeanor battery of a police officer. He spent the night in jail.
A Huntington man also was arrested during the altercation, according to police reports. A Huntington newspaper identified him as William Tazwell Green III. Green, 21, was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a felony, and brandishing and carrying a concealed dangerous and deadly weapon, two misdemeanors.
"I have it confirmed that there were people other than Marshall football players involved in the fight," said Pruett.
The incident began when Ohio State defensive end Redgie Arden, a native of nearby Ironton, Ohio, crashed a party held by MU's football team to celebrate the end of preseason camp. According to MU officials, Arden announced he was an Ohio State player and that the Buckeyes were going to beat Marshall soundly when they played on Sept. 11 in Columbus.
Herd quarterback Stan Hill reportedly asked Arden to leave, but as the 6-4, 260-pound junior was heading for the door he allegedly threw a forearm into a Marshall player.
That's when the fight started. Arden, who is majoring in Criminology according to the Ohio State media guide, suffered a broken nose and a cut under an eye that required stitches. He was hospitalized in Huntington and released Monday afternoon.
"I went to see him in the hospital this morning," said Pruett on Monday. "I told him that I was sorry that it happened."
Arden, who is listed as third-team defensive end on Ohio State's depth chart, reportedly was in the Huntington area instead of Columbus because he had suffered a shoulder injury and was unable to practice with the Buckeyes.
Although Pruett telephoned Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel to discuss the incident Monday, the Buckeyes declined official comment.
"We don't have enough information to make any kind of comment," said Ohio State Sports Information Director Steve Snapp.
"All we know is what we've heard from the TV and newspaper people."
Pruett said that Tressel did confirm that Arden had experienced some problems at Ohio State. According to the Associated Press, during a 15-month span ranging from February of 2002 until June of 2003, Arden was arrested twice in his hometown of Ironton for driving under the influence of alcohol.
The irony is that Arden reportedly feared he would be kicked off Ohio State's squad after the second DUI arrest and was rumored to be considering a transfer to Marshall.
Telephone calls to the Arden family's home in Ironton were unanswered Monday.
Another piece of irony is the fact that Marshall had its annual team meeting with police, FBI agents and lawyers at 4 p.m. Sunday to discuss gambling, signing with agents and overall conduct.
"That was already scheduled," said Pruett.
The Marshall coach also pointed out that the incident leading to Goddard's arrest wasn't directly related to the fight involving Arden.
"Jonathan wasn't involved in the fight," said Pruett. "His arrest was due to a separate incident."
According to MU officials, the Huntington man who was arrested, Green, pulled a gun on Goddard. When the police arrived, Green fled. However, Goddard chased Green down the street, tackled him and began pummeling him.
When the police pulled Goddard off Green, the defensive end pushed a police officer and consequently was arrested.
"Jonathan admitted he did that," said Pruett.
Marshall's coach had nothing but praise for the police, however.
"I think the Huntington police department did a great job of handling the situation," said Pruett. "It was an explosive situation, but they handled it. They deserve to be commended."
Pruett didn't commend his players for their conduct, though.
"At the end of the scrimmage Saturday I told them not to go out and do something crazy," said Pruett. "I told them to conduct themselves in the manner of a champion."
Despite the bar fight and the arrest of Goddard, Pruett said he didn't plan any new, stricter policies.
"We've already been cracking down on things," said Pruett. "Remember, there are two sides to every story."
HUNTINGTON -- Marshall University defensive end Jonathan Goddard will be suspended for the season-opener against Troy University on Sept. 4 at Edwards Stadium for his role in a bar fight last weekend.
"We have to suspend Jonathan for pushing a police officer," said Marshall Coach Bob Pruett. "If there are any other charges stemming from the fight, we'll let due process take its course."
The 6-foot, 245-pound Goddard was absent from a practice which began at 3:30 pm. here Monday, but Pruett said that was merely coincidental.
"He has a class scheduled at 4 o'clock," said Pruett, noting that most Monday practices are held in the evening. "That's why he isn't here."
Goddard was arrested outside the 20th Street Bar and Grill here early Sunday morning and charged with misdemeanor battery of a police officer. He spent the night in jail.
A Huntington man also was arrested during the altercation, according to police reports. A Huntington newspaper identified him as William Tazwell Green III. Green, 21, was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a felony, and brandishing and carrying a concealed dangerous and deadly weapon, two misdemeanors.
"I have it confirmed that there were people other than Marshall football players involved in the fight," said Pruett.
The incident began when Ohio State defensive end Redgie Arden, a native of nearby Ironton, Ohio, crashed a party held by MU's football team to celebrate the end of preseason camp. According to MU officials, Arden announced he was an Ohio State player and that the Buckeyes were going to beat Marshall soundly when they played on Sept. 11 in Columbus.
Herd quarterback Stan Hill reportedly asked Arden to leave, but as the 6-4, 260-pound junior was heading for the door he allegedly threw a forearm into a Marshall player.
That's when the fight started. Arden, who is majoring in Criminology according to the Ohio State media guide, suffered a broken nose and a cut under an eye that required stitches. He was hospitalized in Huntington and released Monday afternoon.
"I went to see him in the hospital this morning," said Pruett on Monday. "I told him that I was sorry that it happened."
Arden, who is listed as third-team defensive end on Ohio State's depth chart, reportedly was in the Huntington area instead of Columbus because he had suffered a shoulder injury and was unable to practice with the Buckeyes.
Although Pruett telephoned Ohio State Coach Jim Tressel to discuss the incident Monday, the Buckeyes declined official comment.
"We don't have enough information to make any kind of comment," said Ohio State Sports Information Director Steve Snapp.
"All we know is what we've heard from the TV and newspaper people."
Pruett said that Tressel did confirm that Arden had experienced some problems at Ohio State. According to the Associated Press, during a 15-month span ranging from February of 2002 until June of 2003, Arden was arrested twice in his hometown of Ironton for driving under the influence of alcohol.
The irony is that Arden reportedly feared he would be kicked off Ohio State's squad after the second DUI arrest and was rumored to be considering a transfer to Marshall.
Telephone calls to the Arden family's home in Ironton were unanswered Monday.
Another piece of irony is the fact that Marshall had its annual team meeting with police, FBI agents and lawyers at 4 p.m. Sunday to discuss gambling, signing with agents and overall conduct.
"That was already scheduled," said Pruett.
The Marshall coach also pointed out that the incident leading to Goddard's arrest wasn't directly related to the fight involving Arden.
"Jonathan wasn't involved in the fight," said Pruett. "His arrest was due to a separate incident."
According to MU officials, the Huntington man who was arrested, Green, pulled a gun on Goddard. When the police arrived, Green fled. However, Goddard chased Green down the street, tackled him and began pummeling him.
When the police pulled Goddard off Green, the defensive end pushed a police officer and consequently was arrested.
"Jonathan admitted he did that," said Pruett.
Marshall's coach had nothing but praise for the police, however.
"I think the Huntington police department did a great job of handling the situation," said Pruett. "It was an explosive situation, but they handled it. They deserve to be commended."
Pruett didn't commend his players for their conduct, though.
"At the end of the scrimmage Saturday I told them not to go out and do something crazy," said Pruett. "I told them to conduct themselves in the manner of a champion."
Despite the bar fight and the arrest of Goddard, Pruett said he didn't plan any new, stricter policies.
"We've already been cracking down on things," said Pruett. "Remember, there are two sides to every story."
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