Virginia Tech wide receiver Ike Whitaker was arrested Friday night on misdemeanor charges of public swearing and intoxication. The arrest came less than 24 hours after head coach Frank Beamer announced that the troubled quarterback-turned-wide receiver had been suspended indefinitely for violating team rules. This is Whitaker’s second arrest during his time at Virginia Tech and it appears that his playing career with the Hokies is over.
In a Washington Post article, Whitaker was quoted as saying that Beamer suspended the toubled player after missing a wide receivers meeting and then told Whitaker that he could stay on scholarship for the remainder of the year to earn his degree, but suggested that he transfer to another school to play his final year of eligibility.
Whitaker told the Post that he had been swept “under the rug,” after coaches Kevin Rogers and Tony Ball left the program for other jobs.
Popularity: 4% [?]
Loading ...
In a lot of ways I feel sorry for Ike. To be so young and already battling the demon of substance abuse means a rough road ahead. His biggest challenges don’t have anything to do with football, but I can’t help but think that those challenges are the very reason why he’s barely seen the playing field in his time here.
He says the coaches swept him under the rug. I say he did it to himself. Dealing with a hangover probably doesn’t allow you to absorb an offensive playbook very quickly.
Just the fact that he made the comment shows another strong sign that the rehab he skipped the bowl game for had little to no effect.
I hope Ike is able to pull himself together and contribute somewhere next year. Most of all, I hope he’s able to pull himself together and realize that his problems don’t have anything to do with two coaches leaving the program.
I couldn’t have said it better myself. I’ve heard that Beamer has a support system in place for guys like Whitaker so they don’t just cut ‘em loose. I hope they continue to try and help this kid out while he’s still here. And I hope he is able to get his act together. I’m saddened to see him end his career at Tech on such a low note.