Police: Two Gator football players arrested after scuffle

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - Two University of Florida football players face misdemeanor charges after they were arrested for scuffling with police outside a Gainesville nightclub, officials said Monday.

Florida sophomore linebacker Channing Crowder, who was arrested outside the same bar last year for allegedly beating a man unconscious, and junior safety Jarvis Herring were arrested early Sunday morning.

Crowder, the SEC Freshman Defensive Player of the Year, got into a loud argument outside The Palace nightclub, attracting a large crowd, a Gainesville police report said.

Officer Robert Hager told them to leave, but Crowder stopped in the middle of the street, held up traffic and kept yelling at the other man, according to the report. Seconds later, Crowder began arguing with another man and chased him when he fled. Police caught up to them in the parking lot of another nightclub a few blocks away, and an officer fell trying to apprehend Crowder.

Crowder ran again but stopped when Hager yelled his name. Police say Crowder then refused to put his hands behind his back when they tried to handcuff him.

According to the report, Herring ``repeatedly interfered'' with the officers as they tried to arrest Crowder. They said he refused officers' commands to leave the area.

Crowder was charged with disorderly conduct, and Herring was charged with resisting or obstructing without violence. They were released from the Alachua County Detention Center later Sunday.

Florida coach Ron Zook said the issue will be reviewed before a team punishment is issued.

``We'll let the judicial process run its course, then completely evaluate the situation,'' Zook said.

Crowder pleaded no contest in June to misdemeanor battery for last year's incident. He was given six months probation and was suspended from Florida's season opener against San Jose State.

``It's less serious than what the police report would suggest,'' said Huntley Johnson, Crowder's attorney. ``Other than that, I have no comment.''

Herring did not return a phone call Monday seeking comment.