Controversial Miami LB recruit injured and out for season

[Awsi Dooger]

Willie Williams injured a knee ligament yesterday in practice and underwent surgery today. He will probably redshirt, and get a chance to get his act and academic standing in order for 2005.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/colleges/9492149.htm?1c

Williams was the most heavily recruited linebacker in the country last spring, choosing the 'Canes over FSU in the final days. He nixed Auburn because of a disdain for farmer girls and plant food, among many memorable quotes.

Immediately after signing with Miami, Williams' past legal troubles burst into the news, apparently unknown to the schools pursuing him. Williams faced a felony count of setting off fire extinguishers at his hotel during a recruiting trip to Gainesville, along with a misdemeanor battery charge for hugging a woman without consent.

Each plea resulted in a year's probation being levied against Williams, whose arrest record dates back to 1999, mainly for theft and burglary. What happened in Gainesville could have sent Williams to jail for a year; he was already on probation for a 2002 felony burglary charge.

Such wonderful personnel news for both the Dolphins and Canes since I've been visiting Miami, anticipating the Orange Bowl opener with FSU on Sept. 6. The 'Canes were absurdly thin at LB this year, even with Williams.

[MikeG]

1. Now he's just plain Willie the felon.

[sidwill]

2. I'm glad that you guys are

feeling joy at the young man's misfortune. Willie comes from a rough neighborhood and has had some troubles with petty larceny and misdemeanors, but he has never committed a violent act and is a 3.5+ student.

Contrast him with the Gator's Channing Crowder, twice arrested for assault and still on the team.

[MikeG]

3. He's lucky he didn't try to break into my apartment.

He'd be playing a harp right now.

[Surf Cowboy]

9. Dead on. No pun intended.

[democraticgator]

4. The guy has been arrested over a dozen times.

I wouldnt go around defending him if I were you.

[sidwill]

5. Yo gator

You know the scoop, If williams had signed with Florida he would have never been charged for "the hug" and discharging a fire extinguisher (wow he should have been executed for that).

Crowder has twice been arrested FOR ASSUALT ON ANTHER HUMAN BEING and is still on the team.

As for Williams Juvenile record (which should have remained sealed) lets see Crowders as well. How many people did he assault as a juvy?

[Champ]

6. Tough luck

But something about the article interested me. He had a misdemeanor battery charge for hugging a woman without consent, how does that happen? The reason why I ask is about 4 or 5 days ago a female friend of mine was grabbed on the ass by some drunk guy, when she called the police on him the next day they didn't do anything because it was a "He said, she said matter" even though there were at least 5 or 6 witnesses who seen what happened. Though it shouldn't surprise me because we do have a lame ass police department.

[sidwill]

7. Whats even more interesting is that

earlier in the day the same girl hugged him. Apparently the unwelcome recipricol hug came later in the day in the presence of the girls boyfriend. Add this oh so heinous crime to discharging a fire extinguisher and you have public enemy number 1, unless of course he had signed with the Gators. Then I doubt that any charges would have been filed.

[Surf Cowboy]

8. Ahh, there is such a thing as Karma...

Glad the sonofabitch is gone for the season and that Miami loses that scholarship spot for the year. I'm pretty sure he can't redshirt, so Miami is getting what they deserve.

I can't believe the ACC accepted Miami (and FSU, previously) from the Florida Penal League.