Kentucky Football: Multiple Suspensions Due to "Violation of Team Rules"

The Kentucky football team has suspended  starting cornerback Cody Quinn, wide receiver Demarcus Robinson, and defensive end Jason Hatcher for "violation of team rules." Quinn and Hatcher have been suspended for one game, and Robinson has been suspended indefinitely. Robinson had previously been suspended in 2011 for a "violation of team rules." Meanwhile, Raymond Sanders has been dismissed from the team for nondisclosed reasons, according to Bleed Blue Kentucky. Sanders had legal issues last season, and will now miss the last two games of his college career.

There are rampant rumors that more players could be announced at a later time. It's possible disciplinary action hasn't been finalized or Kentucky isn't trying to tip off Georgia to personnel suspensions.

Violation of team rules could mean anything but in the past it usually pertains to recreational drug-use or underage drinking. For whatever it's worth, the University of Kentucky's drug enforcement policy states a first strike results in an athlete suspended for 10% of the season, second strike is 50% of season, and third strike is a dismissal.  Kentucky and Georgia are considered to have the most stringent policies in the SEC.

From a football perspective, these aren't huge personnel losses for the team but  these are the ones the public knows about at this time. Coach Stoops has displayed a willingness for strict discipline since becoming Kentucky's head coach last December. Since that time at least four players have been dismissed due to disciplinary reasons.

Without either waxing Puritanical nor delving into the debate of recreational drug-use enforcement for college athletes versus college students, hopefully these players gain some maturity from this event. The rules are the rules. Their punishments can be a simultaneous benefit to both themselves and the Kentucky football program.

Meanwhile, BBN would be well-advised to reserve judgement and remember these are young people whose private shame has now been exposed to the public domain. That, and not getting to play football, should be punishment enough.