Micah Hyde: ‘It was a tough weekend for me’ [watch video]
IOWA CITY, Ia. – Micah Hyde stared down bright lights and tape recorders Tuesday afternoon.
He met reporters after his first arrest in three-plus years on the Iowa football team — after he lost his prestigious team captain role, and an hour or so before he would start preparing for Saturday’s Big Ten Conference game at Michigan State.
“It was a tough weekend for me,” said Hyde, a cornerback who is expected to get his 32nd start in the 11 a.m. game in East Lansing, Mich. “I made a mistake. I apologize to people.”
Related article — Kirk Ferentz: ‘Chances to win no factor in discipline issues’
Hyde remained on the Hawkeyes’ depth chart after last Saturday’s 1:34 a.m. alcohol-related arrest, because his charges of interference with official acts and public intoxication were his first scrapes with the law, coach Kirk Ferentz said.
“I think you have to consider the resume of people you’re involved with,” Ferentz said. “Everything a player does is part of their resume — their academic performance (and) lack thereof, citizenship, and football’s probably third on that list.
“In Micah’s case, Micah might have jaywalked sometime during 3 1/2 years here, but I’m not aware of it. We haven’t had a better guy come through here. He had a bad weekend, no question about that, and he feels terrible about it.”
According to police, Hyde was among a group of people who hung around after employees told them to leave Old Capitol Brew Works early Saturday morning. The group fled when officers arrived, then ignored a command to stop.
Hyde was caught two blocks away with bloodshot eyes and smelling of alcohol, according to a police report. He refused a breathalyzer test, but did not deny drinking.
On Monday, Hyde pleaded guilty to the interference charge, for which he will be fined $397.50, according to the Iowa Courts Online web site. He pleaded not guilty to the intoxication charge, for which a Dec. 27 bench trial has been set.
“I’m sure everyone has their beliefs of what happened,” Hyde said. “It’s like when we lose a football game — everyone has their beliefs on what we should have done, but at the end of the day . . . I know what I should have done.
“To be honest, it was an incident that very easily could have been resolved. I felt like I let a lot of people down.
“It could have been avoided. It didn’t have to get that far, (but) it did, so I have to learn from it.”
Hyde refused to go into specifics about the incidents, misdemeanors under Iowa law. He would not answer why he elected to run from police.
“I know that coach Ferentz knows the truth,” Hyde said. “As far as everybody else having their own stories — I could care less.”
He would not elaborate.
“I have a game to prepare for,” Hyde said. “I’m not going there. I have a big week ahead of me, just like my teammates do.”
Ferentz said Hyde will be punished internally, with includes at least 20 hours of community service. He’s no longer a team captain, although Ferentz said that could change.
“It hurts,” Hyde said. “Since I’ve been here, I’ve tried to lead my team in the right direction. This year, because it’s my senior year, I wanted to be a captain. It’s unfortunate.”
Ferentz was quizzed more about his handling of Hyde than he was about Michigan State tailback Le’Veon Bell’s 776 yards on 171 carries. Reporters also questioned athletic director Gary Barta.
“What is the student-athlete’s history, academic and behavior,” Barta said when asked the reasoning behind Hyde avoiding a one-game suspension. “In this case, (Hyde) had a clean slate all the way through. This is consistent with how Kirk has disciplined in the past. I’m comfortable with it.”
Category: Iowa Hawkeyes Football
