UThug: Tennessee player on video: 'Where I'm from, we shoot at cops'

Alternate headline: Tennessee is now early favorite for the Fulmer Cup Award.

Where I'm from, thugs like this go to jail and stay there for a while.

Here's the report from Fox News website:

At the time of the arrest, Banks had a polite demeanor toward the arresting officers. He told them he “never met no police officers as nice as y’all” but his attitude changed as the ride continued. He then asked the officers “What you would do without that badge?”

“I should’ve ran, test y’all’s speed,” Banks said. “Y’all would’ve never catch me. That’s what I should’ve did. Next time, I am, I promise you. Never again y’all boys will take me to jail. Not UT police.”

Banks also addressed a woman who was in the car for a ride-along.

“Ma’am, I don’t think you want to be an intern, because where I’m from, we shoot at cops. I’m from Memphis, Tennessee,” he said.

This is a shame. The University of Tennessee used to be one of the Southeastern Conference's finest athletic programs. The football side of the Athletic Department was regarded as an outstanding example of class, distinction and gentlemanly tough competition.

Coach Paul W. Bryant had deep respect for Tennessee. Coach Robert Neyland had the same respect for Alabama. The Third Saturday in October was the biggest rivalry in the SEC football season.

The culture began to change shortly after the 1992 season. You may remember when Phillip Fulmer stabbed then Head Coach Johnny Majors in the back and took over the team after Majors' heart surgery. From that point forward, it was win-at-any cost and the UT football program traded its integrity for a BCS title in 1998.

Fulmer ended his career as Head Coach after posting a dismal 5-7 record (3-5 SEC) in the 2008 season. He has somehow finagled his way into the Athletic Director's office, where it looks like Ethical Fulmerism is back in style.

Hey, y'all... there's a very good reason why the team with the longest rap sheet each year is awarded the not-so-prestigious Fulmer Cup.

South Carolina player Angelo Watley arrested on burglary charges

The website Cemetery Hill is reporting that South Carolina player Angelo Watley has been arrested on felony theft charges.

The website post includes the following screenshot, and IBCR has confirmed that the screenshot is authentic.

At 3:40 EST, Watley was reportedly still in custody. Bond is set at $50,000.

Watley was arrested on three counts—Grand Larceny (theft greater than $2,000 but less than $10,000), credit card theft and second degree burglary.

All three crimes are felonies under South Carolina state law.

Watley is a redshirt freshman linebacker from Suwanee, Georgia and who signed with the Gamecocks in 2011.

With the earlier news of Kentucky’s Ridge Wilson’s arrest on felony drug trafficking charges, it looks like some updates will be forthcoming in the Fulmer Cup race!

UPDATE: This is apparently not Mr. Watley’s first run-in with law enforcement. A blog reader snarks via email that Watley has “Cam Newton Ears.”

UPDATE II: South Carolina has confirmed the arrest and says that Watley has been suspended.

Follow me on Twitter and Facebook.

Georgia makes early run at 2012 Fulmer Cup

Two days after National Signing Day, Georgia coach Mark Richt has dismissed three players for violations of team rules. DB Nick Marshall, WR Sanford Seay and DB Chris Sanders have been dismissed from the team.

All were freshmen. Two of the players—Marshall and Seay—have been accused of attempting to steal money from the dorm room of a teammate. There is no indication that Sanders was involved in the incident.

Georgia had a relatively quiet offseason in 2011 after pulling in a consensus Top 5 recruiting class, with few off-the-field distractions.

2012 isn’t shaping up that way.

In fact, going into National Signing Day, Georgia was locked in a three-way tie for first place in the annual Fulmer Cup race. With today’s developments, expect the standings to show Georgia and Mark Richt in sole possession of first place and the early favorite to take home the plastic.

Follow me on Twitter and Facebook.