Pitt's football program suffered another off-field hit with the arrest of linebacker Carl Fleming. It doesn't sound good for him, based on the initial report:
↵↵↵As Fleming exited the store and got into his Ford Taurus, police approached and attempted to stop him for a traffic violation. Fleming pulled away and attempted to hit the marked police car before crashing into a guard rail, according to a criminal complaint.
↵Fleming then shoved a plastic bag containing marijuana in his mouth and started to swallow, authorities said. Officers pulled Fleming from the car and, after failing to remove the bag, punched him, successfully dislodging the drugs from his mouth, the criminal complaint states.
↵Despite commands to remain on the ground, Fleming struggled with officers before being handcuffed, authorities said.
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Fleming's preliminary hearing is set for April 10.
↵He saw time last year and even started a game, so he figured to be in the mix this season. It will be interesting to see how head coach Paul Chryst handles this. He's already done the obvious in suspending Fleming until further details come out, but where it goes from here is anybody's guess. Pitt has had their share of off-field issues over the past few seasons, so all eyes will be in Chryst to see how he responds.
↵For more on the situation and Pitt football, check out SB Nation blog Cardiac Hill.