Washington star TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins suspended indefinitely after DUI arrest
Washington tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins has been indefinitely suspended following a DUI arrest on Saturday.
Coach Steve Sarkisian said Tuesday after practice that Seferian-Jenkins, one of the nation’s top tight ends, was suspended until an investigation could be completed. According to the Seattle Times, the punishment is per the school's official student-athlete code of conduct and an investigation could take several weeks.
"We will make the decisions necessary based on our team rules and our school's policies that are fair to him and fair to us, and we will move forward and we will support him," Sarkisian said.
Police found Seferian-Jenkins' car in a ditch and the star tight end with a bloody nose after his head hit the windshield following a single-car accident. Seferian-Jenkins tried to resist a blood-alcohol test, but police eventually obtained a court order for one after Seferian-Jenkins spoke with a lawyer. Seferian-Jenkins' blood-alcohol content was not released.
Seferian-Jenkins was second-team All-Pac 12 last season after catching 69 passes for 852 yards and seven touchdowns. Many believe Seferian-Jenkins could emerge as the nation’s best tight end in 2013 and be a potential first round NFL draft pick.
That’s if he plays next season.
Sarkisian gave no indication of whether Seferian-Jenkins would be back for the fall opener against Boise State on Aug. 31. If his DUI charge is reduced to a misdemeanor, Sarkisian could lift the suspension. However, if Seferian-Jenkins is found guilty of a felony, the suspension can only be lifted by the director of athletics.
"It is disappointing and we miss him," Sarkisian said. "Austin is a good kid. He made some mistakes but we will continue to support him."
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