Lays it all out in detail - kudos for RPN being mature enough to step forward and take full responsibility. [Taken from the South Bend Tribune]
Powers-Neal accepts the blame
ERIC HANSEN
Tribune Staff Writer
Even if Rashon Powers-Neal never plays another second of college football, the suspended Notre Dame fifth-year senior running back wanted to do what he thought was the right thing under the circumstances.
He wanted to publicly accept the blame for his actions and end any speculation that he was a victim of some antiquated university rule or unforgiving university justice system.
On Oct. 8, Powers-Neal, 22, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol while back home in the St. Paul, Minn., area during ND's first open weekend of the season. On Nov. 23, he pleaded guilty to fourth-degree DUI, a misdemeanor in Minnesota that resulted in Powers-Neal's driver's license being revoked for 30 days.
"I'd like to apologize to my family, teammates, coaches and to the University of Notre Dame for the problem that I caused with my poor decision-making on Oct. 8," he told The Tribune via telephone on Friday. "I realize I placed many others and myself in jeopardy, that I paid dearly for my choices on that day. I ask that you forgive me, and I assure you that this type of incident will never occur again."
Powers-Neal said his university-imposed suspension runs through Dec. 7, but that there were no assurances he might be reinstated to the team to practice for and play in a bowl game.
"To my understanding, it's all up to the coaches after that," Powers-Neal said. "But I wasn't about to talk to them about it this week. I'm just going to let them worry about winning this next game."
The sixth-ranked Irish (8-2) close the regular season tonight at Stanford (5-5).
It will be the sixth straight game Powers-Neal has missed due to the suspension. Still, with 100 yards, he is ND's fourth-leading rusher and with six rushing TDs, he still leads the team in that category.
"I've been working out on my own since this all happened, because I never knew if I would be able to come back," said Powers-Neal, who hasn't practiced with the team since he was charged. "I was hoping to come back sometime before now, but it just didn't work out that way. I'm still going to class, still keeping my grades up, still pulling for those guys."
ND first-year coach Charlie Weis was unavailable for comment on Friday, but said recently that the door was not closed to Powers-Neal.
"I felt like until things were resolved that it was in my best interests to keep things as quiet as possible," Powers-Neal said. "Now that the legal stuff has been resolved, I thought it was best to step forward.
"I also wanted to say that this is the first time I got in trouble with the team. I read where some people thought my lack of playing time in the Michigan State game (Sept. 17) was due to some disciplinary action. That wasn't the case at all.
"There have been a lot of rumors going around since this all happened. I just thought it was time to set the record straight."
Staff writer Eric Hansen: ehansen@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6470
Powers-Neal accepts the blame
ERIC HANSEN
Tribune Staff Writer
Even if Rashon Powers-Neal never plays another second of college football, the suspended Notre Dame fifth-year senior running back wanted to do what he thought was the right thing under the circumstances.
He wanted to publicly accept the blame for his actions and end any speculation that he was a victim of some antiquated university rule or unforgiving university justice system.
On Oct. 8, Powers-Neal, 22, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol while back home in the St. Paul, Minn., area during ND's first open weekend of the season. On Nov. 23, he pleaded guilty to fourth-degree DUI, a misdemeanor in Minnesota that resulted in Powers-Neal's driver's license being revoked for 30 days.
"I'd like to apologize to my family, teammates, coaches and to the University of Notre Dame for the problem that I caused with my poor decision-making on Oct. 8," he told The Tribune via telephone on Friday. "I realize I placed many others and myself in jeopardy, that I paid dearly for my choices on that day. I ask that you forgive me, and I assure you that this type of incident will never occur again."
Powers-Neal said his university-imposed suspension runs through Dec. 7, but that there were no assurances he might be reinstated to the team to practice for and play in a bowl game.
"To my understanding, it's all up to the coaches after that," Powers-Neal said. "But I wasn't about to talk to them about it this week. I'm just going to let them worry about winning this next game."
The sixth-ranked Irish (8-2) close the regular season tonight at Stanford (5-5).
It will be the sixth straight game Powers-Neal has missed due to the suspension. Still, with 100 yards, he is ND's fourth-leading rusher and with six rushing TDs, he still leads the team in that category.
"I've been working out on my own since this all happened, because I never knew if I would be able to come back," said Powers-Neal, who hasn't practiced with the team since he was charged. "I was hoping to come back sometime before now, but it just didn't work out that way. I'm still going to class, still keeping my grades up, still pulling for those guys."
ND first-year coach Charlie Weis was unavailable for comment on Friday, but said recently that the door was not closed to Powers-Neal.
"I felt like until things were resolved that it was in my best interests to keep things as quiet as possible," Powers-Neal said. "Now that the legal stuff has been resolved, I thought it was best to step forward.
"I also wanted to say that this is the first time I got in trouble with the team. I read where some people thought my lack of playing time in the Michigan State game (Sept. 17) was due to some disciplinary action. That wasn't the case at all.
"There have been a lot of rumors going around since this all happened. I just thought it was time to set the record straight."
Staff writer Eric Hansen: ehansen@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6470
