If football season could last all year, Florida wide receiver Antonio Callaway might have a chance of not getting arrested.
A year after Callaway successfully defended himself amid sexual battery allegations by admitting he was “so stoned (on marijuana)Â I had no interest in having sex with anyone,” he was cited for marijuana possession (fewer than 20 grams) early Saturday morning in Gainesville, according to court documents.
This time, Callaway, 20, was a passenger in a black Mercedes SUV when Gainesville Police Department officers stopped the vehicle driven by Kendrick Williams, 40, for a seat belt violation. The police report said officers smelled marijuana in the car and then found 7 grams of the drug in Callaway’s pocket during a search.
Williams, who also was found with marijuana, has been found guilty in the past of criminal mischief, marijuana possession and battery, according to court records.
Callaway is scheduled to appear in court June 6 to face the first-degree misdemeanor charges.
In the past, Florida coach Jim McElwain gave out one-game suspensions to two players cited for marijuana. Tailbacks Jordan Scarlett, a freshman in 2015, missed the 2016 Citrus Bowl. Mark Thompson was suspended for the 2016 Georgia game.
Upon hearing of Callaway’s latest brush with the law, McElwain dipped into the coaching cliche textbook and turned to the chapter covering player arrests.
First, there was the emotional reaction.
“I’m just really disappointed,” McElwain said.
Then came the standard “learning experience” rationale.
“At the same time, there’s another opportunity to learn,” McElwain said. “There’s another opportunity to educate.”
So how exactly does this educational opportunity play out?
Maybe something like:
McElwain: “Antonio, when you said you wanted to get off to a smoking start entering your junior year, I didn’t think you literally meant it.”
Callaway: “My bad, Coach Mac.”
Callaway: Antonio, stop riding around with a 40-year old guy who has a police record.”
Callaway: “Great idea, Coach Mac.”
McElwain: “And keep your weed in your apartment.”
Callaway: “10-4, Coach Mac. Hey Coach, that naked guy on the shark? Was that really. . .
McElwain: “Get of my office, you knucklehead.”
Callaway: “Does this mean I have to flush the rest of my stash?”
Callaway caught 54 passes for 721 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore last year. Overall, he has 89 receptions for 1,399 yards and 7 TDs in two seasons.
The Gators open the 2017 season against Michigan at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sept. 2.
Whether Callaway plays or not remains to be seen. There’s always the chance that McElwain could suspend Callaway for:
The entire game.
Just the first half.
Or for Florida’s first seven offensive plays of the game, one play for each gram of marijuana police found in Callaway’s pocket.
credit:nola.com