GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida linebacker Antonio Morrison has been suspended for at least the first two games of the regular season after being arrested for the second time in five weeks.
Morrison was arrested early Sunday for barking at a police dog and resisting arrest. Both charges are misdemeanors.
Later Sunday, Gators coach Will Muschamp announced that Morrison would be held out of the opener against Toledo (Aug. 31) and the road game the next week against Miami.
“I’m extremely disappointed in Antonio Morrison’s decision making,” Muschamp said in a statement.
Morrison played in 13 games, with three starts as a freshman, and is expected to have a bigger role this season
The sophomore from Bolingbrook, Ill., also was arrested June 16 for allegedly punching a bouncer. He received deferred prosecution on the simple battery charged, a deal in which he was ordered to stay out of trouble for six months.
He was back in court Sunday, when a judge released him on his own recognizance.
According to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Morrison walked up to an open window on a police car and barked at a K-9 dog named Bear. The dog responded by barking back, prompting an officer to arrest Morrison for interfering with a police canine. According to the arresting officer, Morrison’s actions diverted the canine’s “attention from my investigation and towards him.”
Officers said Morrison resisted attempts to handcuff him.
Morrison told officers he made a “woof-woof” sound at Bear because the dog barked at him.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
