Michael Floyd: 3 Alcohol charges--but reinstated to the team

Michael Floyd

((ht: southbendtribune))

It must be nice to be a football player. It's one of the only jobs where you can have 3 alcohol related arrests in 3 years and yet still not be punished. In fact, just today, Michael Floyd was reinstated to the Notre Dame football team. It's no coincidence he's the teams leading receiver.

If it sounds like we are judging a little. It's because we are. We fully understand he's a kid and kids make mistakes. But he made 3 of them. All somewhat related. Imagine if it were you who'd been arrested 3 times, how hard a time do you think you'd have at work...if you weren't fired on the spot?

Floyd, who most recently was arrested for Driving Under the Influence was placed on probation for a year and had his license suspended for 90 days. Then have the ignition breath device attached to his car.

You can read more from the South Bend Tribune RIGHT HERE

And yes, Floyd released a statement, "The last four months have been the most humbling stretch of time in my life. I embarrassed myself, my family, the university, my football team and many more people."


Floyd will no longer be a team captain, though his head coach Brian Kelly said he'd have an opportunity to be a game day captain. Oh, Kelly, added that he believes Floyd has made progress, worked on personal growth and learned how to make better choices in the future.

We hope that Michael Floyd speaks the truth and stays away from the alcohol. Two arrests for underage drinking and a DUI, all before the age of 22, makes one wonder if he has a problem.

For what it is worth, a reporter for the Chicago Tribune asked Floyd if he's been to a bar since his last arrest. He answered "Yes".

DEVELOPING: Notre Dame Reaches Agreement In Sullivan Case

((HT: WSBT-TV South Bend))

The University of Notre Dame has agreed to pay $42,000 to settle a complaint that it committed six safety violations when Declan Sullivan died when the hydraulic lift he was filming a football practice from blew over in a 53 mph wind gust.

The university also agreed to make a substantial contribution to a memorial for Sullivan 90 days after the agreement is finalized...

The settlement also requires Notre Dame to launch a nationwide education program directed at other schools about the hazards of the outdoor use of scissor lifts.

The Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration ((IOSHA)) originally said it was fining Notre Dame $77,500. The settlement reduces a "knowing" violation to a "serious" violation.

Here's the statement from the Sullivan family...

“The family is satisfied with this morning's settlement between IOSHA and Notre Dame," said Mike Miley, the Sullivan family spokesman. "We also look forward to seeing the launch of the education campaign and expect it will provide a safer work environment for institutions around the country. There can be no better way to remember Declan than to help others avoid future tragedies.”

And the statement from Notre Dame from Dennis Brown, assistant vice president and university spokesman...

"Notre Dame appreciates the professionalism that IOSHA officials have demonstrated throughout this process and is pleased to have reached agreement with them on the safety orders.

"What remains ever-present throughout this process is the reality of the loss experienced by Declan Sullivan’s family and friends, all of whom remain in the thoughts and prayers of the Notre Dame community.

"Notre Dame is committed to doing all we can to ensure that a tragedy like this never happens again and is working with IOSHA and others on a national education initiative on aerial-lift safety in regard to setup, training and weather-related risks.

"We felt it was important to extend the conversation with IOSHA to obtain the highest level of accuracy in its final report. At its essence, we felt that the lack of available national standards on wind-related safety procedures made it impossible to put anyone in harm’s way on a “knowing” basis, as was explained in our own investigation report.

"Any detail related to contributions by Notre Dame remain a private matter between the Sullivan family and the University."

Here's the original report on the Sullivan tragedy, thanks to our friends at WSBT-TV
 

Michael Floyd catches a break....sort of

Michael Floyd/Courtesy: flickr.com

Troubled Notre Dame wide receiver Michael Floyd dodged one of the biggest bullets he's facing in an effort to remain eligible to play football at the South Bend, Indiana school. His break came when the school's "Office of Residence Life" decided not to issue a suspension from the school on the heels of his 2nd Drunk Driving arrest.

That isn't to say he's escaped the wrath of his coach, Brian Kelly, who added that Floyd remains suspended from the team and has many other issues to deal with before he'll be playing football again.

Read more from Chicagobreakingsports.com RIGHT HERE

For his part, young Mr. Floyd had a statement released saying "I'm grateful that I still have a chance to earn my degree and be a member of the football team." He added, "I know that I still need to meet requirements set by the University and Coach Kelly and that I have a lot of work to do and to prove that I've grown from the experience."


You'll recall that Floyd was arrested on March 20th for a DUI, his 3rd alcohol related offense while a student at Notre Dame. We might add here that he was the teams leading receiver last season and turned down the chance to turn pro and he returned for his senior year.

Interesting.

We hope that Mr. Floyd is getting his issue addressed because it seems to appear that he has one. There's some question as to how he managed to get 2 DUI's and another alcohol offense and not be in trouble with the school. How much do you want to bet if he was a regular student, he'd be gone?

It also appears, based on Floyd's statement that he's going to be playing in the fall. In fact, he already said as much. This despite Brian Kelly saying that Floyd has other issues to deal with and get his degree.

We don't want to come down too hard, because on the surface it appears he wants to make amends somehow. Maybe, if for no other reason than the NFL doesn't exactly look kindly on things like this. Teams do exhaustive research on guys before they are drafted and while there are certain "Transgressions" some overlook, Michael Floyd's transgressions are going to raise a red flag....or three of them.

DEVELOPING: Michael Floyd, Notre Dame's best receiver charged with DUI--now with update

Michael Floyd/Courtesy: WNDU/Campus police

((ht: wndu-tv))

Michael Floyd, the leading receiver last year for the Notre Dame football team is in trouble this morning.

It seems Mr. Floyd was arrested early Sunday morning and charged with DUI. And he was apparently arrested while on the Notre Dame campus. And it isn't his first alcohol related issue. He was cited for underage drinking back in January in Minneapolis, where he lives.

He apparently posted--or someone posted a $500 bond for him and will be back in court in April. Oh, by the way...spring practice for the Irish begins in three days. Wonder what coach Brian Kelly will have to say about this.

**UPDATED**--Floyd blew a .19 according to a report in the Chicago Tribune. He apparently failed 3 sobriety tests. This comes as Floyd held off going to the NFL after a very successful junior season. He may now regret that as the school could very well decide to "Make him go away" after his now second legal issue.

Coach Brian Kelly is supposedly going to address the matter sometime Monday afternoon.

Here's the update from our friends at WSBT-TV in South Bend...
 

DEVELOPING: Notre Dame Fined In Sullivan Death

((HT: WSBT-TV South Bend))

The state of Indiana and their version of OSHA found the University of Notre Dame did not "maintain safe working conditions" when Declan Sullivan, a 20-year-old junior, died while he was filming football practice from a hydraulic lift in late October when it fell over in winds that exceeded 50 miles-per-hour.

Indiana Department of Labor Commissioner Lori Torres said the school was fined $77,500 for five violations, including failing to properly train the student videographer and failing to have the lift inspected on a regular basis. Torres says
the lift was missing the appropriate warnings and a service manual.

Dustin Grove leads the noon news...
 

Notre Dame Banning Hydraulic Lifts Use

((HT: WSBT-TV South Bend))

Notre Dame has decided to stop using hydraulic lifts to film football practices as a result of the Declan Sullivan accident and death back in October.

University officials say now that the school will instead use a remote video system.

Notre Dame's president, the Rev. John Jenkins, says the system will prevent a repeat of what happened. The university says four cameras are being placed atop 50-foot-high poles, and they should be in place by spring practice.

Indiana's state version of OSHA is still investigating the accident.

The Sullivan family issued a statement hyah...

Here's a rewind of coverage from WSBT-TV...
 

Notre Dame Prez Defends Seeberg Investigation

((HT: WSBT-TV South Bend/South Bend Tribune, Fosmoe))

The Reverend John I. Jenkins is defending the integrity school's investigation of a sexual battery allegation against a student football player by a female student who later committed suicide.

“I cannot stand by and allow the integrity of Notre Dame to be challenged so publicly. The values at issue go to the very heart of who and what we are at Notre Dame,” President Jenkins said last week.

Notre Dame Security Police conducted a “thorough and judicious investigation that followed the facts where they led and exhibited the integrity that I believe characterizes this institution,” Jenkins said.

Prosecutor Michael Dvorak, who received the investigatory report from campus police in November, announced back on the 16th that criminal charges would not be filed against the player or against another male student who allegedly sent Seeberg text messages of a threatening nature.

Here's the interview with ABCNews where the Seeberg family addressed the Notre Dame investigation- and they weren't happy one bit...


President Jenkins said the player and the player’s friend still may face disciplinary action by Notre Dame’s office of residence life — the player for his alleged actions of August 31st, and the male friend for allegedly sending text messages September 2nd to Seeberg, including one saying, “Messing with notre dame football is a bad idea.”

The text was in response to Seeberg's police report where she said:
"I didn't feel safe in his room....he proceeded to grab my face and started to kiss me. Tears started rolling down my face because I didn't know what to do...I felt so scared, I couldn't move."

President Jenkins has not spoken with the Seebergs since the funeral of their daughter, Lizzy. He maintains publicly that he is trying to remain somewhat detached from the legal machinations until a decision may need to be made on campus as to the students involved in the charges.

No Charges In ND Assault Case

St. Joseph ((IN)) County Prosecutor Michael Dvorak said in a news release that his office has decided not to pursue charges in a case where a St. Mary's ((IN)) College student accused a Notre Dame football player of sexual battery. The decision was based on evidence and the fact that statements by 19-year-old Elizabeth "Lizzy" Seeberg would likely be inadmissible in court.

Seeberg died of an apparent drug overdose back on September 10th. Dvorak says Seeberg had accused a student-athlete of touching her breasts about two weeks earlier.

Dvorak did not name the athlete.

Seeberg's parents told the Chicago Tribune that campus police conducted a "superficial" investigation. The University of Notre Dame released a statement saying that it investigates all potential violations of the law or university policies with "the utmost professionalism."

The Dvorak release is hyah...
The Chicago Tribune piece interviewing Lizzy Seeberg's parents is hyah...
Notre Dame's response to the Tribune piece is hyah...

Here's early coverage of the case, thanks to our friends at WSBT-TV in South Bend...
 

Notre Dame turns alleged sex assault info over to Prosecutor

ND Football stadium/Courtesy: bobak/collegeprowler.com

Apparently this was done late last week. We told you on Sunday, the story about a St. Mary's college student allegedly sexually attacked by a Notre Dame football player. That student, Elizabeth Seeburg, killed herself 10 days after the alleged incident. Oh, by the way, the alleged incident happened Sept. 1st.

This weekend, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly played off the story in his Sunday conference call, saying he wasn't involved in the investigation and generally just passing everything off to Notre Dame campus police. Notre Dame authorities, well, they have declined to acknowledge the complaint...at least publicly.

Well, now comes a report that the information gathered has been passed to St. Joseph County (IN) prosecutor Michael Dvorak.

Read about that from the Chicago Tribune, who has been out front on this story...RIGHT HERE

If these allegations are even close to true, it smells pretty bad for the school. We think one of two things are at play. One, the school investigated and could not confirm anything and is confident that nobody else will either. There were no witnesses. Or two, they've been stalling and covering for the football player, hoping it will go away. If that is the case, someone is in deep doo-doo, the covering up would have been tied to the death of the young woman and nobody wants that on their hands. The one lingering question: If this happened in September, why is the info being sent to the prosecutor at the end of November? Because the Tribune is pursuing the story? Hmmm....

We'll let this play out in court and the local media up in northern Indiana and report on things as they progress. It will be very interesting to see how it plays out.

Speaking of that. The SouthBendTribune has a story on the differing stories being offered by police. You can read that story, RIGHT HERE

Here is the TV story on this from WLS-TV in Chicago:

Notre Dame Celebrates Declan Sullivan

((HT: WSBT-TV))

Deputy Coroner Chuck Hurley told WSBT-TV that he has ruled the death of Declan Sullivan an accident and said that the cause was blunt force trauma to the head, chest and abdomen.

Hundreds stood outside the doors of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart as the capacity of the church (around 1,000) was reached long before the service started.

Inside, Sullivan's dorm mates from Fisher Hall sat together, as did residents of Lewis Hall, where Sullivan's sister, a freshman, lived. The football team filled at least eight pews in the back of the church.

Sullivan's family was also in attendance.

"Notre Dame has lost another son," said the Rev. Thomas P. Doyle, CSC, Notre Dame's vice president for student affairs.

Here's WSBT's coverage, John Paul was outside the Basilica of the Sacred Heart...
 

DEVELOPING: OSHA Investigating Notre Dame Accident

((HT: WSBT-TV South Bend))

Indiana's workplace safety agency ((their version of OSHA)) is investigating the death of the Notre Dame student after the tower from which he was filming football practice fell over.

Declan Sullivan of Long Grove, Illinois, died at hospital yesterday after the scissor lift the 20-year-old student was in was in toppled amid winds gusting over 50 miles per hour.

Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration spokesman and FOSG Marc Lotter says the agency had an investigator on the scene in South Bend. He says it's too early to say when the agency, which has the authority to levee fines, might release a report.

WSBT's Alyssa Rossomme seems to be outside, freezing in the dark...
 

MIDDAY UPDATE: Kristen Bien was on campus for the noon show...
The University held a press conference at 2PM eastern...
When that video becomes available, we'll get it to you...
 

DEVELOPING: Irish Student Dies After Tower Collapse

((HT: WSBT/WNDU-TV South Bend))

A 20-year-old student of Notre Dame died Wednesday afternoon when a video tower at the north end of the team's practice field collapsed in the high winds.

The student was taping practice from a hydraulic scissor lift when the accident happened.

The tower fell through a fence and is lying in the street between the practice field and the tennis courts.

“We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss,” said Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., Notre Dame’s president. “Our hearts go out to the student’s family and friends and our prayers and profound sympathies are with them during this incredibly difficult time. The loss of someone so young is a terrible shock and a great sadness. Our entire community shares in the family’s grief.”

The identity of the student is not being released pending notification of family members.

Here's the breaking news from our friends at WNDU-TV

TWTW: Kelly's Heroes Far From It, Stanford Blows Out Irish...

Okay... question for you...

How many of you bought into what Brian Kelly was selling this year at Notre Dame...?

The HQ was thinking, maybe, an 8-win team just because of the really crappy schedule.

But Stanford was not one of those crappy teams, there fore, the win would not be coming for the Irish. The 16th-ranked Cardinal improved to 4-0 while the Irish drop to 1-3. It's the 11th straight loss against a ranked team for Notre Dame and the 7th loss in eight games overall for the Irish.

Tell you something...???

Kelly, for this to work in South Bend, has to be able to flush out the guys from the Weis Administration and get his players in. But the next thought will be whether or not the rank-and-file will have enough patience to make that happen...

The same questions that are happening in Ann Arbor right now...

Good news: Dayne Crist was 25-of-44 for 304 yards with a TD, a pick, and a fumble.
Bad news: The Irish rushed for just 44 yards on 23 carries.

Next up for Notre Dame is a roadtrip to BC...

Here's Angelo DiCarlo with your wrap-up, thanks to our friends from WNDU-TV in South Bend... He's in front of a monitor...

Dantonio's Balls Of Steel Get Sparty OT Win

((HT: WXYZ-TV Detroit))

Aaron Bates threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Gantt on a fake field goal attempt in overtime, giving the Spartans a 34-31 victory over Notre Dame Saturday night.

Dan Conroy lined up for a 46-yard attempt to tie the game in the bottom of the first overtime. But Bates took the snap and had time to wait for Gantt to get open downfield. Gantt, who was unblocked, caught the pass for an easy touchdown, giving the Spartans, now 3-0, the victory and revenge for a 33-30 loss in South Bend last season.

Celebrate, good times, c'mon...
Here's Channel 7's recap from outside the building...

Eight Football Golden Domers Busted For Underage Drinking

((HT: WNDU-TV South Bend))

Oops...

A party in South Bend, Indiana was busted by police sending 43 people to the St. Joseph ((IN)) county jail.

South Bend police were called in to respond to initial complaints and something called the "Indiana State Excise Police" were called to the scene on complaints and observations of underage drinking.

Among those arrested are eight Notre Dame football players including:
Nate Montana ((yes, that Montana))
Lorenzo Wood, a cornerback and incoming freshman
Chris Watt, a sophomore offensive guard
Robert Toma, an incoming freshman wide receiver
Nicholas Tausch, a sophomore kicker
Ta-iler Jones, an incoming freshman wide receiver from Gainesville ((GA)) High Steven Filer, a junior outside linebacker and,
Tate Nichols, an incoming freshman.

Among the other 35 arrested are:
Tim Abromaitis, a junior forward on the basketball team ((pictured with Montana, thanks WNDU-TV))
Eric Atkins an incoming freshman to the basketball team and,
Steven Summerhays, an incoming freshman to the hockey team.

No official word has come from the University yet.

All those arrested were held overnight in the County jail until their BAC dropped to legal levels.

Kevin Allen of the South Bend Tribune quotes St. Joseph County police spokesman Assistant Chief Bill Redman as saying 41 of the 43 arrested are charged with minor consumption and two are charged with providing alcohol to minors.

Bond was set at $150 for each person, he said. Both charges are misdemeanors, and all 44 people are due in court July 30th.

More when we know more...

Here's highlights of the Blue-Gold Spring Game where Nate did well...
((HT: mgovideo))

Matt James: Saturday PM Update- A "Tragic Accident"

Panama City, Florida police held an afternoon press conference detailing the circumstances surrounding the death of Notre Dame signee Matt James.

Police did not use James' name during the presser. They only would refer to him as a "17-year-old from Ohio who had signed with Notre Dame."

The details given by police major David Humphries are disappointing if true...

"Witnesses and friends indicate he had become drunk and belligerent," Humphreys said. "He had leaned over the balcony rail, was shaking his finger at the people in the next room over. He fell over."

Naturally, Humphries said police would be interested in pursuing charges against those who interacted with James if it was learned who provided him with the alcohol that led to the death Friday.

"It appears to be a tragic accident," Humphreys said...

Here's morning coverage from our friends at WCPO-TV in Cincinnati...

Matt James: Saturday Update

((HT: WNDU-TV South Bend/Fox 19 Cincinnati))

Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly sent out the following statement on the death of incoming freshman Matt Kelly. Kelly died falling from a hotel balcony last night while on Spring Break in Panama City, Florida.

"The Notre Dame football program is in a state of disbelief and incredible sadness with the news of this tragic event,” Notre Dame head football coach Brian Kelly said.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Matt James in this most trying of times. “On a personal level, I got to know Matt quite well over the past few years and he was a wonderful young man from a great family. Matt was an extremely talented person who was very bright and possessed a great dry sense of humor. He could not wait to join the Notre Dame family.

“My prayers and deepest condolences go out to the James family as well as the St. Xavier High School and Cincinnati communities.”

Here's local coverage from South Bend, thanks to our friends at WNDU-TV...
Maureen McFadden tosses to Angelo DiCarlo...


St. Xavier students gathered at the high school Friday evening. Candles were lighted and students shared their memories of Matt before saying prayers.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the James family," says Mark Motz, St. Xavier director of communications and publications. "The entire James family- immediate and extended- has always been good to St. X. We hope we can be comfort in their time of need. We are a faith community and this is certainly is a test of that faith, but we will get through it together. We are all devastated by the news, but grateful for the gift of having Matt as an Xavier man."

A Facebook group honoring James has over 3,200 members as of Saturday morning.

Here's Cincinnati coverage from our friends at WXIX-TV/Fox 19

BREAKING NEWS: Notre Dame Recruit Dies In Spring Break Fall

One of the country’s top high school senior football recruits died in a fall from a motel balcony during Spring Break.

17-year-old Matt James of Cincinnati died Friday night after falling from the third floor balcony of the Days Inn Motel on Front Beach Road in Panama City Beach, Florida. Police said the initial indications are the teenager fell over the balcony railing of his motel room and, apparently, died instantly.

Police say they could not publicly confirm the identity of the teenager because relatives had not been formally notified. But WCPO-TV in Cincinnati indicates the victim was James.

He attended St. Xavier High School where he was a 6’7”, 280 pound offensive tackle. He had been recruited by Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, LSU, Florida State, Miami and North Carolina. He considered in-state schools, Cincinnati and Ohio State, before signing on with the Notre Dame on National Signing Day.

Panama City Beach police are investigating...

Here's Jerry Brown recapping the lead story for our friends at WMBB-TV in Panama City Beach...


Here's file video of James from his time at St. Xavier...
((HT: The Forbes Report))

Brian Kelly to Notre Dame

****BREAKING NEWS****

According to multiple media outlets, Notre Dame has hired Cincinnati Coach Brian Kelly to be their next coach. We also know according to Cincinnati TV Station WCPO that Kelly has already informed his assistant coaches and will be telling his team tonight at the teams season ending awards banquet.

The story from WNDU-TV RIGHT HERE

More from WCPO-TV RIGHT HERE

This isn't a total surprise, Kelly teased that it could happen sometime this week. The timing of the banquet just makes it fortuitous. From what it sounds like, Kelly will not coach the team in the Sugar Bowl, rather Assistant Jeff Quinn will handle that duty.

((Brian Kelly has his job//Courtesy: Boston Globe))

We think this whole thing stinks. Not that Kelly took the job, but rather the timing. Why does Notre Dame have to do this now? Why does the NCAA allow this stuff. Kelly isn't going to suffer from it and neither is Notre Dame, no, the ones who have to suffer for it are the kids at Cincinnati who get rewarded for there hard work by their coach bailing out on them before the biggest game in school history. Nice!

Video to come later this evening when the inevitable statement is released.

Brian Kelly will decide this week

Cincinnati's Brian Kelly, who apparently is the "Apple" of Notre Dame's eye, says that he "Will make a decision on his coaching status by Saturday". We are assuming that means will he or won't he go to Notre Dame. Oh...and this caveat...he won't guarantee that he will coach Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl versus Florida.

**Note. Kelly will according to reports, be meeting the folks from Notre Dame on Tuesday, somewhere in New York**

Check out what Mr. Kelly had to say on the Dan Patrick Show...RIGHT HERE.

((Brian Kelly is kinda loyal to his players//Courtesy: ESPN))

Kelly did also say that he was negotiating an extension with Cincinnati; which is all well and good, but do you have a problem with this like I do? It smells...really bad. I get the whole "Opportunity of a Lifetime" thing. I get that it's a chance to "Move Up the Coaching Ladder"...that part I get, nobody can begrudge that.

No, the problem is how Kelly is playing this. Why would you throw that out there today? Why would you talk about it at all. Lay low this week. If you want to say you are on vacation...hide. Don't come out and say that you may bail out on your CURRENT EMPLOYER...if you feel like it. That is one of the MANY big things wrong with College Football. If you are under contract and in the midst of a season, you shouldn't be allowed to leave...period. If you don't like it...don't sign a contract.

((Cincinnati Fans beg for their Coach today//Courtesy: Cincinnati Enquirer))

The other part I blame on the HIGHLY overrated clowns at Notre Dame...and other "Big Name" schools but mostly the ASS CLOWNS AT THE NCAA. There should be...UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES...coaches being allowed to negotiate out of a contract to go coach at another school until the season is OFFICIALLY OVER...FOR EVERYONE.

The NCAA can fix this all by themselves...IF THEY WANTED TO. It helps foster an atmosphere of TOTAL AND COMPLETE GREED on their part. What would it hurt for their members to wait 1 month...after the holiday's to do this stuff. It's not fair to the kids at the smaller schools. In this case CINCINNATI. They had the dream season of dream season's for the program and yet they may not even have a head coach for their BCS Game against Florida. Come on TELL ME....WHAT IS FAIR ABOUT THAT?