Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon was arrested on complaint of DUI and various other alcohol- and traffic-related charges earlier this offseason, and Cowboys head coach Mike Gundy has been pressed to announce whether the star will play or be suspended for part of the 2024 season.
Finally, on Tuesday, Gundy told ESPN's Pete Thamel at Big 12 media days in Las Vegas that Gordon won't be punished after his arrest on June 30 in Oklahoma. The head coach commented further on the situation during another interview and offered some interesting opinions.
Form your own thoughts about Gundy's comments on Gordon's arrest with all the details below.
MORE: Texas QB Arch Manning opts in to 'EA Sports College Football 25' with help from Uncle Eli
What did Mike Gundy say about Ollie Gordon's DUI?
Gundy began his interview at Big 12 media days by saying that he wanted to make the best decision for Gordon, the university, and the team.
He then went on to compare Gordon's reported blood alcohol content of 0.11 and 0.10 percent the night of his arrest to the legal driving limit in Oklahoma, which is 0.08 percent, insinuating that "based on body weight," that's only "two or three or four' beers.
"I thought, 'I've probably done that a thousand times in my life,' which is fine. So, I got lucky, people get lucky," Gundy said. "Ollie made a decision that he wishes he could have done better, but when I talked to Ollie, I said, 'You're lucky you got out light.'"
Gundy then mentioned the money Gordon earns through NIL and says he told the running back that he's lucky he's able to cover the legal fees. He also mentioned that "nobody got hurt," which also factored into Gordon's seemingly light punishment.
When mentioning that people have been asking him about Gordon's likelihood of playing in the first game of the season, Gundy was quick to snap back.
"Understand the severity of the situation and know this: Is suspending him for one game really going to matter? I don't think so," he said. "Now, you want to suspend him for six games? Maybe that'd do it. But I don't think that's fair to everybody else on our team, and I have to take them into consideration.
"I made a decision based on what I thought was best for everybody involved. From this point moving forward, he needs to try and do better, like we all do."
The full snippet from the interview about Gordon can be watched below.
Here's Mike Gundy's entire answer on Ollie Gordon not getting suspended. Not sure "I've probably done that a thousand time in my life. And, and, you know which is fine. I got lucky, people get lucky" was the way to go pic.twitter.com/zVig6u7p7V
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) July 9, 2024
Later on in the day, Gundy took to Twitter/X to respond to negative backlash to what he said during the interview. He tries to clear up that he wasn't referring to a specific time he acted like Gordon and emphasize that everyone makes bad decisions.
My intended point today at Big 12 media days was that we are all guilty of making bad decisions. It was not a reference to something specific.
— Mike Gundy (@CoachGundy) July 9, 2024
Mike Gundy OANN controversy
Gundy is no stranger to controversy. In June 2020, he wore a t-shirt representing One American News Network (OANN), a right-wing cable news channel. Members of the team, led by now-Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard, suggested they wouldn't play until the matter was addressed.
"I will not stand for this," Hubbard wrote, quote-tweeting a picture of Gundy in the OANN shirt. "This is completely insensitive to everything going on in society, and it’s unacceptable. I will not be doing anything with Oklahoma State until things CHANGE."
Other players eventually came out with allegations against Gundy of racist behavior against black players. Ultimately, Oklahoma State University Athletics conducted an internal review and found "no signs or indication of racism." Gundy agreed to a $1 million pay cut, which then-athletic director Mike Holder said was the coach's idea of punishment for the backlash.
What did Ollie Gordon do?
Gordon was arrested the morning of June 30 on suspicion of driving under the influence, Oklahoma Highway Patrol said. Troopers pulled him over in the Oklahoma City area after he swerved into the adjacent lane twice and sped 17 miles per hour over the 65-mph speed limit.
The odor of alcohol was detected by a trooper during the stop, and Gordon admitted he had open bottles of vodka and tequila, which were found half empty. Born Jan. 15, 2004, Gordon is under the legal drinking age. Moreover, under Oklahoma law, it's illegal to have any open bottles, cans, or any other vessel with an open seal containing alcohol in a moving vehicle in the state.
After initially refusing a sobriety test, he was arrested on complaint of DUI, transport of an open container of alcohol, failure to maintain single-lane traffic, and speeding. At the Cleveland County Jail, Gordon registered a blood alcohol level of 0.11 and 0.10 percent. The state's legal blood alcohol content limit for driving is 0.08 percent.
Ollie Gordon stats
The 2023 Doak Walker Award recipient, Gordon had an impressive sophomore campaign. He led the NCAA in rushing with over 1,700 yards and also proved to be a threat through the air.
MORE: Get Oklahoma State football tickets here
Here are his 2023 stats:
- Carries: 285
- Rushing yards: 1,732
- Yards per carry: 6.1
- Rushing touchdowns: 21
- Receptions: 39
- Receiving yards: 330
- Yards per catch: 8.5
- Receiving touchdowns: 1
- Fumbles: 0
