Chris Rodriguez is Kentucky’s best running back but apparently his status for this season is still to be determined. (UK Athletics Photo)
One significant news item that came out of Mitch Barnhart’s press conference Saturday was basically overlooked because of what he said about the John Calipari, Mark Stoops, the media and alcohol sales.
Everyone has been wondering about running back Chris Rodriguez’s status for this season. He was charged with DUI in the spring and pleaded guilty to the charge this summer.
Coach Mark Stoops has not indicated what punishment, if any, there would be for Rodriguez. However, there has also been speculation that some other kind of issue might impact the star running back’s status for this season. Again, Stoops has not provided any comment on this either.
Barnhart was asked about Rodriguez Saturday but did provide information I was not expecting.
“We’re working our way through that,” Barnhart said. “It’ll be a collective decision.”
Collective decision? So there is an issue and it will not be just Stoops deciding what punishment/suspension might be coming for Rodriguez if there is one coming. That certainly makes one believe there is more than the DUI charge involved here.
Rodriguez was at Media Day but off limits to the media. He apparently was at every practice/workout during the summer. He took part in Saturday’s scrimmage.
“Chris has been looking good. Staying focused,” junior running back JuThan McClain said. “We are out here trying to get better. He ain’t sidetracked by nothing.”
Or at least not sidetracked yet.
13 Responses
This is not real good news. How long does it take to make a decision?
My guess they won’t make a decision until gameday.
I would think they probably know what the punishment already is and he may or may not have already served it. They just are waiting to make it public. That would be pretty rude to hold this over C-ROD’s head with prolonging the punishment.
I just don’t know Homer. Strange for Stoops to stay silent this long so makes me think it might be out of his hands for reasons we don’t know yet
It’s about ticket sales. They don’t want to announce he’s out in fear of people opting to watch at home if he’s not playing. Just a hunch.
Interesting point Lisa. Got to admit, I had not thought of that possibility
me either
Collective decision? Who is involved in this collective? Coach Stoops? Barnhart? Anyone outside of the UKAA chain of command?
Why is this any different from any other internal team matter?
Something does not sound right about this at all.
No it does not Professor and to me that makes it not sound good for the player
IMO, a proven coach like Stoops should be able to make the darn decision!
I believe the decision has been made, but there will be no public announcement until game day, and either he will take the field with no fanfare, or there will be a brief pregame announcement that he will not be available for today’s game.
We will learn their decision at the last possible moment.
There are four or five hundred athletes playing sports at UK I am betting he is not the only one with a DUI.I don’t like what is going on
Maybe I’m old school but sports is about being taught discipline and honor, sportsmanship and teamwork. If 1 screws up the entire team has screwed up. To say that it’s only a DUI is as wrong as the DUI itself. He represents Kentucky and is provided a scholarship by our University. Paid for by the great fans of our great University. He is a great player who made a mistake and also got caught. I believe he should be taught a lesson and hopefully he will learn from it as I hope every student athlete that puts on that UK uniform.