Auburn Football Star Arrested on DUI Charge

Auburn Star Tahaad Pettiford Arrested on DUI Charge Weeks After NBA Draft Withdrawal

Auburn, AL – Tahaad Pettiford, the highly touted point guard for the Auburn Tigers men’s basketball team and a projected contender for SEC Player of the Year in the upcoming 2025-26 season, was arrested early Saturday morning on a charge of driving under the influence (DUI) in Lee County, Alabama.

Jail logs confirmed Pettiford’s arrest. The 19-year-old player was released later in the day and is no longer listed on the Lee County correctional facility’s inmate roster.

Auburn Head Coach Bruce Pearl addressed the situation in a statement released to ESPN on Saturday. “We are aware of the situation, and we will handle it internally with Tahaad and his family,” Pearl stated. “We take these matters seriously and will learn and grow from it moving forward.”

This incident comes just weeks after Pettiford made the decision to withdraw from the NBA draft. He had expressed a desire to return to Auburn to further develop his game and improve his draft stock for the following year. Pettiford was a key contributor to the Tigers’ triumphant 2024-25 season, averaging 11.6 points per game and helping lead the team to the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and a Final Four appearance. With the departure of veteran star Johni Broome, Pettiford is seen as the linchpin for Auburn’s future success.

Following his arrest, Pettiford took to social media to issue an apology. In a post on his Instagram story, he said, “Last night, I made a serious mistake and one that I take full responsibility for. My actions put myself and others at risk, and for that, I’m deeply sorry. There is no excuse.” He continued, expressing remorse to his family, teammates, coaches, and fans, acknowledging their disappointment and concern.”I’m committed to learning from this moment and making meaningful, positive changes in my life. I’m grateful for the support and accountability of those around me, and I will work to earn back the trust I’ve lost.”

Pettiford’s return to auburn was motivated by his ambition to prove his readiness for the professional level.”I was happy to go through the process,getting feedback from NBA teams,” Pettiford told ESPN previously. “Going back to Auburn is a better situation for me. I see myself being a higher pick next year.it wasn’t 100% this year, so I didn’t want to take that chance.”

despite not garnering the same national attention as some other top freshmen during the 2024-25 season, Pettiford was widely recognized as one of the nation’s most promising young talents. He is considered a strong candidate for preseason All-American honors heading into the 2025-26 campaign, having averaged an notable 15.2 points per game in the NCAA Tournament.

Earlier in the season, Coach Pearl had lauded Pettiford’s maturity and positive attitude, particularly his graciousness in accepting a reduced role on a veteran-laden team.”I suppose some would just sort of expect that to be a problem,” Pearl had commented in April regarding Pettiford’s playing time. “Not a word. Not a body language, shoulder shrug, roll eye ever from Tahaad.”

The circumstances surrounding Pettiford’s DUI arrest will undoubtedly be a meaningful talking point for the Auburn basketball programme as they prepare for the upcoming season.

What are the potential legal penalties [Player Name] faces in alabama for a first-time DUI offense?

Details of the Arrest & Initial Reports

On July 13, 2025, [Player Name], a prominent [Position] for the Auburn University Tigers football team, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI). The arrest occurred at approximately [Time] near [Location in Auburn, AL]. Initial reports from the Auburn Police Department indicate that [Player Name] was pulled over for [Reason for initial stop – e.g., speeding, erratic driving].

Following standard procedure, officers administered field sobriety tests, which [Player Name] reportedly did not pass. A subsequent breathalyzer test allegedly registered a blood alcohol content (BAC) of [BAC Level] – exceeding the legal limit of 0.08% in Alabama. The player was taken into custody and booked at the lee County Jail. this incident instantly sparked widespread discussion amongst Auburn fans and college football enthusiasts. keywords related to this event include: Auburn football DUI, college athlete arrest, DUI charges Auburn, [Player Name] arrest.

Potential Consequences for the Player & the Auburn Football Program

A DUI charge carries notable consequences, both legally and for [Player Name]’s football career.

Legal Penalties: In Alabama, a first-time DUI offense can result in:

Fines ranging from $600 to $2,100.

Jail time of up to one year.

License suspension for 90 days.

Mandatory alcohol education or treatment programs.

University Disciplinary Action: Auburn university has a strict student-athlete code of conduct. Potential disciplinary actions could include:

Suspension from the football team for a period of games or the entire season.

Revocation of athletic scholarship.

Expulsion from the university.

Impact on NFL Draft Prospects: A DUI conviction can negatively impact a player’s NFL draft stock. Scouting reports will undoubtedly reflect this incident, and teams may be hesitant to invest in a player with a history of legal issues. Terms like NFL draft impact DUI, college football suspensions, and athlete legal trouble are relevant here.

Auburn University’s Response & Statement

Auburn University Athletics released a brief statement acknowledging the arrest: “we are aware of the situation involving [Player Name]. We are gathering details and will take appropriate action in accordance with university policies. We will have no further comment at this time.” This is a standard response in these situations, prioritizing due process and internal inquiry. The university is likely consulting with legal counsel to determine the best course of action.Related searches include: Auburn university statement DUI, college athlete discipline, university response to arrest.

Previous Instances of DUI arrests in College Football

Regrettably, DUI arrests are not uncommon among college athletes. Several high-profile cases in recent years have highlighted the issue:

[Example 1: Name of Player, School, Year]: Faced [Consequences].

[Example 2: Name of Player, School, Year]: Received [Consequences].

[example 3: Name of Player, School, Year]: Resulted in [Consequences].

These cases demonstrate the serious repercussions athletes face and the importance of responsible decision-making. Keywords: college football DUI history, athlete DUI consequences, past DUI arrests college athletes.

Resources for DUI Defense & Legal Assistance in Alabama

If you or someone you know is facing DUI charges in Alabama, it’s crucial to seek legal counsel immediately.

Alabama State bar Association: https://www.alabar.org/ – Provides a lawyer referral service.

National Highway Traffic Safety Governance (NHTSA): https://www.nhtsa.gov/ – Offers information about DUI laws and prevention.

Local DUI Defense Attorneys: Search online for experienced DUI lawyers in Auburn, Alabama, and Lee County. Look for attorneys specializing in Alabama DUI defense, DUI lawyers Auburn AL, and college athlete DUI defense.

Understanding Alabama’s DUI Laws

Alabama takes DUI offenses seriously. Key aspects of the state’s DUI laws include:

Implied Consent: By operating a vehicle on Alabama roads, drivers implicitly consent to chemical testing (breath, blood, or urine) if lawfully arrested for DUI. Refusal to submit to testing can result in license suspension.

BAC Limit: The legal BAC limit in Alabama is 0.08% for most drivers.

Zero Tolerance Law: Drivers under the age of 21 have a zero-tolerance law, meaning any detectable amount of alcohol in their system can result in penalties.