Gipson returns to practice with Lobos
Running back made news with arrest in January
Bob Davie and his UNM Lobos were back at practice Wednesday morning, “trying to get better individually, trying to get better as a football team,” the coach said.
Included in the preparation was starting running back Teriyon Gipson, who has been out since the New Mexico State game because of concussion protocol.
But Gipson has made other headlines. It recently came to light that he was arrested in January in his hometown of Dallas for misdemeanor marijuana possession and unlawful carrying of a firearm (the latter since dropped). He also had outstanding warrants involving traffic violations.
UNM did not make Gipson available Wednesday, but Davie suggested everyone “take a deep breath.”
“It’s parking violations, it’s speeding violations, it’s misdemeanors,” he said. “We’ve certainly done enough investigation from the media standpoint on it. In fact, the media knows as much as anybody, which
is probably a good thing.”
Davie said Gipson’s troubles are an educational opportunity.
“It’s about taking young guys and teaching them right from wrong,” the coach said.
“Overall, I’ve got a pretty good idea of what transpired. I am disappointed that Teriyon, and really, Teriyon’s family, didn’t come to me immediately with full disclosure. I understand they made that decision and what basis they made that decision. I don’t agree with it, but I understand why they did it.”
Davie, as he has throughout, declined to reveal what punishment Gipson will face.
“It’s not going to be something I think the whole nation gets to sit back and evaluate,” he said. “Which is really the case if you look around college football. … You don’t really see players stepping up and making statements, players standing up and talking to the media about it. Nor do you see programs giving total disclosure on what the penalty is.”
UNM’s general student drug policy does not suggest specific penalties regarding drug incidents that occur off campus. But it does warn: “In drug-related cases a court can permanently suspend eligibility for federal benefits, including financial aid.”
The use of “drugs or narcotics not prescribed by a physician” is prohibited, UNM’s student-athlete handbook reads. Violation subjects the offender to “appropriate disciplinary action” by the athletic department, it adds.
“We’re in line with the university and the athletic department on that,” Davie said.
Then the coach returned to thinking about football.