Fitz Pleads Guilty of Operating While Visibly Impaired
Pleads down from OWI. You would have to figure this is the day Hoke was waiting on to make the final say in whether or not he plays. After pleading down, I have to think he is going to play. the crime was committed in July, and he has had nearly 1 1/2 months to pay the price, along with having to suffer the legal consequences. I would be surprised if we don't see Fitz on the field at some point on Saturday.
August 28th, 2012 at 3:37 PM ^
does not require chemical confirmation of a certain amount of a substance in your system. It is typically the "get out of jail free" card given to first time offenders, but really impaired is the "circumstantial evidence" version of under the influence. When you see somebody charged with refusing a breath test (don't do it) they are typically also charged with impaired (unless a warrant was obtained in time for a blood test which is the case nearly 99% of the time and then the charge is under the influence anyway).
Damn man. One adjournment would have been nice Judge.
August 28th, 2012 at 2:43 PM ^
and Will Campbell was blocking the sidewalk and Fitz couldn't see around him.
August 28th, 2012 at 2:42 PM ^
We can argue semantics all you want. Bottom line: Fitz did a very bad thing. Because of said bad thing, he will have consequences. Consequences = missed playing time. He's not playing. Hoke said as much yesterday in the roundtable with reporters. Everybody seemed to overlook his comments.
August 28th, 2012 at 2:45 PM ^
Perhaps you can direct to these comments? He seemed entirely ambigious from what I read.
August 28th, 2012 at 2:57 PM ^
Do you feel caught between giving your team the best chance to win vs. making sure the players pay the consequences for breaking the law?
“Well, I think whenever you’re in this position. You’ve got to make decisions that are best for the program. And that doesn’t mean for one specific team, it means for the program. It means for the identity and the character of the program that you represent. Are they easy decisions? No. Are they decisions you want to make because you love the kids? No. But you have to make them.”
It seems you’re in a very uncomfortable spot.
“I’m comfortable with what I want to do. Very comfortable with that. Talking to all you guys about it? No. That’s not comfortable because it’s talking about two kids who are sons to us and made bad decisions.”
Do you know what you’re going to do?
“Oh I probably have an idea.”
August 28th, 2012 at 3:06 PM ^
He never says that Fitz is going to sit anywhere in his answers. He said he has tough decisions, and that he makes them for the program. You are just inferring that means that he won't play, but Hoke doesn't necessarily mean that is what the punishment is. No one knows what Fitz has been doing for the past 1 month + for punishment. If he gets in trouble for this in February, or in May, does he still have to miss game time? I think punishment can be arbitrary, and if Hoke and the staff/AD feel comfortable with the punishmet that Fitz has received, than who am I to judge.
August 28th, 2012 at 3:08 PM ^
2+2=...5?
August 28th, 2012 at 3:37 PM ^
he's sitting and we will all be proud of our coach. but i also agree with coach not to let alabama have any information they don't get as a matter of course
August 28th, 2012 at 4:48 PM ^
it equals 3. But on Tuesdays after 2 it equal 5...at least until 6, where it changes to 7.
August 28th, 2012 at 2:42 PM ^
August 28th, 2012 at 2:44 PM ^
August 28th, 2012 at 2:53 PM ^
Higher standard than who? I think most coaches play him in this scenario. Also this is not one of Hoke's first disciplinary decisions here..Kellen Jones, Stonum, Furman (even though he was not guilty).
All that said Is still think Hoke sits him against Bama
August 28th, 2012 at 4:51 PM ^
That's for sure, it would be a shitstorm if he did. Even if we won, the focus would be on Fitz playing and it would be a distraction and bad PR move. Let alone the precendent.
Maybe he doesn't play the first half of any non-conference game? Maybe he doesn't start all season, but plays in every game? Maybe it's a 1 game suspension? Maybe it's 2.
Thing is, only certain people know so we should stop guessing. There are a million choices.
August 30th, 2012 at 10:54 AM ^
That's for sure, it would be a shitstorm if he did. Even if we won, the focus would be on Fitz playing and it would be a distraction and bad PR move. Let alone the precendent.
Maybe he doesn't play the first half of any non-conference game? Maybe he doesn't start all season, but plays in every game? Maybe it's a 1 game suspension? Maybe it's 2.
Thing is, only certain people know so we should stop guessing. There are a million choices.
August 28th, 2012 at 3:07 PM ^
Where do the parents go in the career of there child? Does the "COACH have that much power over a kids bad decision? Wrong is Wrong, Fitz isnt going to win or lose the game against Bama, But hopefully he will learn from his mistake. Move on!
August 28th, 2012 at 3:38 PM ^
It is not the coach's job to determine the legal defintion of what happened. That is the legal system's job, and the fact that Fitz was not convicted of DWI is important. I'm not saying that he shouldn't be suspended or that he should be. I'm just saying that Hoke is not the one to say, "This is what he did." In a legal matter, it is the legal system that says, "This is what he did."
My perspective is that the downgrading of the action is very significant. I think Fitz doesn't start but plays against Bama. And I think it would be a good call, since he did not commit DWI.
August 28th, 2012 at 7:02 PM ^
I dont think the ruling is significant because im 100% sure hoke sat down with fitz and they talked about exactly what happened. Its not like we need a legal system to tell us what is right and wrong.
I dont know whats going to happen, but i doubt he will play. that being said, ide be ok with him playing because i trust Hoke.
August 28th, 2012 at 2:42 PM ^
pleads guilty to being a total dumbass.
August 28th, 2012 at 2:46 PM ^
There's a big difference between acting like a total dumbass in an isolated incident and being a total dumbass.
August 28th, 2012 at 2:53 PM ^
ever gets a DUI! I'm sure it's happened many times. Glass houses my friends. If Fitz plays, who of you will be pissed off after Michigan wins?! No one. An above poster was correct, we are not the SEC. But we are playing the SEC. Something to keep in mind. I don't see a problem with Fitz playing. He's paid a price than none of us know anything about so all the judge Judy's out there should shut up. If he sits, he sits. If he plays you'll get over it.
August 28th, 2012 at 3:10 PM ^
This is a fascinating concept that I had never thought of... sure Hoke should sit him, BUT, we're playing the SEC, and the SEC wouldn't sit him, so let's be consistent with our current competition. Upvote!
August 28th, 2012 at 3:22 PM ^
Seriously? Maybe we should oversign for a few years, too! Morals be damned, if we're playing against someone who does bad things we should do them too! We criticize the SEC so much around here because Michigan is generally held to a higher standard, that's the way it should be.
August 28th, 2012 at 3:28 PM ^
Why stop there? Let's get into the NFL free agent market and get ourselves Aaron Rodgers and Calvin for next year! It's not like the SEC doesn't pay their players already!
August 28th, 2012 at 3:29 PM ^
I should have included my "/s"...
August 28th, 2012 at 3:13 PM ^
I guess pissed off is the wrong word for it, but if we win and Fitz plays, I'll feel a little dirty. I'm sure he's done a lot over the summer but for us to keep our clean image and reputation up he should sit.
August 28th, 2012 at 3:31 PM ^
What if this had happened back in January? Would you still sit him or would he have served his penalty during those months? And how long does it take to work off that mistake? Will he be benched because this was a recent mistake? Sitting a game is not the only penalty, that's my point.
Also, I appreciate the snark and sarcasm. For the record, I do have an advanced degree from U of M... I have a LOT of pride in that accomplishment and I do feel that we as UM students and grads have a higher standard to uphold. I just don't necessarily agree with you all about sitting Fitz. Whatever Coach Hoke decides is the right choice in my opinion.
As for MilkSteak, a shower will make you clean again after the victory in Dallas. :0)
August 28th, 2012 at 3:44 PM ^
That definitely changes things for me for some odd reason. If he had gotten a DUI back then I probably wouldn't have a problem with Hoke playing him. I think it happening so close to the game has brought a lot of negative attention to the program so the only way to mitigate this is to suspend him for a few games.
I know it's not the only penalty, but it is the only visible penalty, and visibility is important in a time when the team is in the headlines for the wrong reasons.
I wasn't trying to be snarky/sarcastic, I see your side of the issue but I have to respectfully disagree. After that victory I will indeed be taking a champagne shower.
August 28th, 2012 at 3:37 PM ^
Dude the football program in on probation right now....it may be one of the stupidest reasons in the history of the world but sorry we dont have a "clean" image at this point.
Whether Fitz plays or not it wont bother me one way or another. Hoke will do the right thing in his mind and as long as he can go to sleep at night that is all that matters.
August 28th, 2012 at 3:40 PM ^
I will get behind Hoke's decision either way on this one. But it bothers me how everyone is so quick to be judge, jury, and executioner. I really don't think it will be a huge difference if Fitz is not playing. I think Rawls will stand in quite well.
August 28th, 2012 at 3:46 PM ^
Yeah I guess we are on probation, but most people (myself included) totally forget about this until reminded. Nobody in the country views us as a "dirty" program.
And yes, whatever Hoke decides is what he's going to decide. Our opinions don't matter but it's fun to debate.
August 28th, 2012 at 3:25 PM ^
Put me down on the pissed off column. This is just a game. As an alum, I care about the reputation of the university FAR MORE than any single game, even a big-time game like this one.
August 28th, 2012 at 3:27 PM ^
August 28th, 2012 at 3:36 PM ^
He's been suspended from the Alabama Liveblog.
August 28th, 2012 at 4:55 PM ^
I also pray for your family and that you don't have to feel the pain of losing a loved one to someone driving under the influence.
It doesn't make it right just because plenty of people do it and don't get into accidents or harm others. It also doesn't make it right because others have done it.
It's not the same as driving without a seatbelt, in that case, you're most likely going to hurt yourself.
But driving under the influence can KILL someone, and most likely its not the driver.
This is that Penn State mindset that we HAVE to get rid of.
Fact: If Fitz killed someone, the tone on this whole thread would be completely different. Why should it come to that? Why does it have to come to a man molesting children before someone at Penn St. spoke up about the toxic culture at that university (and that person had traction)?
August 28th, 2012 at 7:35 PM ^
"...driving under the influence can KILL someone..." So can driving NOT under the influence. I am not trying to be insensitive about the issue, but DUI is a victimless crime. Is it dangerous? Yes. But what if Fitz were arrested for going 110mph down I-95? Speeding is the cause of thousands of deaths a year, should kid stopped for speeding be suspended too?
I don't really like the, "holier than thou" tone that many people -- especially alums -- are expressing in here. Again, it's a victimless crime. Fitz didn't hurt anyone. He could have, but he could have just as easily have hurt someone while he was 100% stonecold sober.
Let Hoke do what he thinks is the best for Fitz and the Michigan football program. If he decides that is sitting him, so be it. If he decides that is playing him, so be it. This, "I'll be pissed if he plays" meme is a joke.
August 28th, 2012 at 7:50 PM ^
Just fucking stop. This is one of the dumbest things I have read on this board, and that is saying something.
August 28th, 2012 at 8:38 PM ^
The drunk driving laws in this nation have diverged from sensible reality to the point that we discuss the need to punish people for what did not happen. Fitz drove while "visibly impaired". He harmed no one. No property damage. Impairment is a scale it is not black and white. He'll pay a high price for this mistake but he did NOT kill nor injure anyone. As far as we know, even though "visibly impaired" he may have still been operating his car safely. Lets stop talking about what might have happened under different circumstances and look at the actual.
The Penn State situation is utterly different. Fitz's situation has played out in the full eye of the media. Nothing has been hidden (other than the details of the internal punishment that Hoke has imposed). There is no "toxic culture" at Michigan looking the other way. You may disagree with how Hoke ultimately handles this, but it's his job to handle it and we'll all know his decision. Comparing this to Penn State is over reach and minimizes what happened there.
I have no problem if Hoke sits Fitz, I have no problem if Hoke plays Fitz. Perhaps if I had all the information that Hoke has I might make a different decision, but I am not the head coach and it is not my decision. Hoke will decide. Michigan will go on and the quality of his decision will be decided over the next few months and years.
August 30th, 2012 at 10:55 AM ^
I also pray for your family and that you don't have to feel the pain of losing a loved one to someone driving under the influence.
It doesn't make it right just because plenty of people do it and don't get into accidents or harm others. It also doesn't make it right because others have done it.
It's not the same as driving without a seatbelt, in that case, you're most likely going to hurt yourself.
But driving under the influence can KILL someone, and most likely its not the driver.
This is that Penn State mindset that we HAVE to get rid of.
Fact: If Fitz killed someone, the tone on this whole thread would be completely different. Why should it come to that? Why does it have to come to a man molesting children before someone at Penn St. spoke up about the toxic culture at that university (and that person had traction)?
August 28th, 2012 at 2:57 PM ^
Paraphrasing the Fundamental Attribution Error FTW!!!!!
August 28th, 2012 at 2:50 PM ^
August 28th, 2012 at 2:44 PM ^
I would continue to be unahppy if Fitz played against Alabama. OWI means that you were operating the motor vehicle while impaired by a substance (SOS Link). Given the potential first offense for a OWI it's still a pretty serious charge. This is definitely not reckless or any type of "intoxicated but under .08" charge. All this shows is that Fitz avoided the .17+ BAC charges which are more severe. Sit Fitz for 'Bama and bring him back after that.
August 28th, 2012 at 2:44 PM ^
With the new info you guys have posted, sounds like OWI can include jail-time. I am guessing Fitz doesnt play vs. Alabama, which is fine by me.
Michigan is expected to lose to Alabama, so as far as I am concerned, Michigan is playing with house-money. Sit Fitz and sit Clark. Discipline matters.
August 28th, 2012 at 2:45 PM ^
I'm pretty sure there's not a single Michigan fan that would not want him to play this Saturday despite any brush with the law. Be honest now!
August 28th, 2012 at 2:50 PM ^
All things being equal, if we're just looking from a football perspective, of course I would rather have Fitz in the line-up. But Fitz would still be our best running back even if he was an axe murderer or some sort of Bond villain, and in that case I don't think we would want him in the lineup.
I want to see him to play, but not as much as I want to see Hoke do the right thing.
August 28th, 2012 at 6:07 PM ^
I'm sorry, but I disagree. I would totally want Fitz to play if he were an axe murderer or a Bond villain. Think about the implications. You're a middle linebacker, and the guy running toward you is a known axe murderer. Are you gonna tackle him? Really? He would be the best running back ever. What if he was Odd Job? He could take off his helmet, whip it at a player, and cut them in half. It would be totally bad-ass if Fitz were a Bond villain.
I mention this because I think it's a lot more fun and informative than listening to folks debate this topic. Nearly 100% or 100% of us think that drinking and driving is bad. Nearly 0% or 0% of us know what punishment Hoke has given out. And 0% of us know what Hoke will do on Saturday. And nearly 100% of us think that Hoke will do what he thinks is best for Fitz, in the long run.
More importantly, nearly 100% of us can agree that it would be intimidating as all get-out if Fitz was a known axe murderer. And 100% can agree that it would be awesome if Fitz were a Bond villain - especially if he were Odd Job.
Q.E.D.
August 28th, 2012 at 2:56 PM ^
Don't speak for me bub. This was not a mere "brush" with the law. Will Campbell had a "brush" with the law. This was drunk driving, whether you use some horse manure legalese to describe it or not. I don't want to sacrifice the Michigan name for a player's selfish and dangerous actions. We are playing the SEC, we are not the SEC.
~Herm
August 28th, 2012 at 3:25 PM ^
You are my father.
August 28th, 2012 at 4:18 PM ^
But we agree 100%. I must be getting old.
August 28th, 2012 at 3:21 PM ^
Umm, I'm one who doesn't want Fitz to play against Alabama. I don't think what he did was the end of the world, but it was stupid and he got caught. Hoke has to punish both Fitz and Clark, to set precedent for the rest of the team, and to put out a marker for what Michigan does (in relationship to MSU & Ohio, in particular.) This is Michigan, fergodsakes.
I also think the team is bigger than any one individual. This is exactly the kind of thing that eventually sunk Ohio. Prior and others thought they were above the law, and indispensable to Tressel and Ohio. This sense of entitlement and lack of consequences for actions causes all kinds of problems, and isn't real life for most of us.
Now, I wish that Fitz had never had a BAC of .12 while driving, and thus that he was playing this Saturday. But wishing that won't change the reality.
“If wishes were fishes we'd all be throwing nets. If wishes were horses we'd all ride.”
August 28th, 2012 at 4:54 PM ^
Playing time is the ultimate reward for a player's hardwork and good behavior. Although Fitz has probably been punished behind the scenes I imagine he would run stairs at 5am every day for the rest of the year in exchange for playing in this game. Sitting him sends the message that serious mistakes have serious consequences.