Mike Gundy says Ollie Gordon II won't miss any Oklahoma State football games after arrest
Scott WrightLAS VEGAS — Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II will not face a suspension from any games for his recent arrest for suspicion of driving while intoxicated, coach Mike Gundy said Tuesday morning at Big 12 Media Days.
Gordon, the Cowboys’ 20-year-old star running back, was arrested at 2:50 a.m. June 30 during a traffic stop on Interstate 35 for speeding and swerving. He issued an apology on social media Monday afternoon, a day before his first public appearance since the arrest.
Gundy spoke about the issue with a small collection of Oklahoma-based media before taking the podium for his primary press conference, which is set for early Tuesday afternoon.
“The first thing I asked him, was anybody hurt?” Gundy said. “Aside from football and everything else, that’s something that will be a lifelong effect. Not only yourself but somebody else, which in my opinion, you’d never get over something like that. He really got out lucky.”
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Gundy said his ultimate decision to not suspend Gordon for a game was based on the changing landscape of college football.
“Because of collectives, these guys that are playing college football are employees, whether you like it or not,” he said. “There’s large sums of money involved. That’s the way it’s gonna be going forward.
“I made a decision. I felt like he really understood how serious this was. Just like bringing him out here (to Big 12 Media Days), he needed to come out here and face the music. There’s no reason to put him in hiding.”
Gordon was charged Monday in Cleveland County District Court in Norman. He faces two misdemeanor counts − driving under the influence by a person under 21 and transporting an open container of alcohol.
An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper reported finding a half-full bottle of lemonade vodka and a half-full bottle of tequila inside the 2024 Cadillac.
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What Ollie Gordon said about arrest
Gordon issued a statement about the arrest on Monday.
"I am deeply sorry for the actions that led to my arrest on June 30," Gordon said via X. "I sincerely apologize to my family, everyone in our program, including our players, Coach (Mike) Gundy, the staff, Oklahoma State University and our fans.
"Regardless of the outcome of this pending investigation, I did not uphold the values I have for myself and the values of the OSU football program. I am committed to learning and growing from this mistake, and I will work to earn back the trust of those who I have disappointed. Thank you."
Staff writer Nolan Clay contributed to this report.