Tennessee's Mitchell arrested for disorderly conduct

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee linebacker Marvin Mitchell has been charged with disorderly conduct after an incident at a gas station near campus.<br> <br> Coach Phillip Fulmer took swift action Tuesday by indefinitely suspending Mitchell, who is projected to be the starting middle linebacker as a senior this fall.<br> <br> Mitchell was arrested Monday when police were called to disperse a crowd at about 3:30 a.m., according to an affidavit filed with Knox County General Sessions Court and obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday.<br> <br> Mitchell is the first Tennessee player to be arrested or cited since last July in a spate of brushes with the law that Fulmer said was embarrassing to the program.<br> <br> The Volunteers had eight players either arrested or cited between January 2005 and last summer.<br> <br> ``It is disappointing for our entire team and staff to be embarrassed by a team member who did not put the team first. Marvin has the good sense to walk away; why he didn&#39;t, I don&#39;t know,&#39;&#39; Fulmer said in a statement. ``This is his first discipline issue in four-plus years in the program. He will be suspended indefinitely and punished internally and will meet all requirements or not play next season.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Police said Mitchell ``threatened to knock out another customer,&#39;&#39; and was told to leave the Rocky Top Market. He left but returned and had to be escorted out, according to the affidavit.<br> <br> ``The defendant became agitated, began to swear at (an officer) and would not leave the property,&#39;&#39; according to the document.<br> <br> Police said Mitchell had a strong odor of alcohol.<br> <br> Mitchell, 21, of Norfolk, Va., made his first two career starts last season and had a career-high five tackles against Kentucky. He redshirted in 2004 after having knee surgery.<br> <br> An arraignment was scheduled for May 8. He has been released on a $500 bond.<br> <br> Fulmer called a team meeting late Monday to talk about the incident.<br> <br> ``It is a privilege, not a right, to play here. I expect all involved to represent the team, the university and the community in the proper fashion or they can go somewhere else,&#39;&#39; Fulmer said.<br> <br> Quarterback Erik Ainge said in a statement that Fulmer ``laid down the law at our meeting last night.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The coach was ``very angry and very emotional at our meeting last night,&#39;&#39; another player, defensive tackle Turk McBride said. ``I think the guys understand that he&#39;s not going to tolerate problems.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> (Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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