Mississippi's Powe Told Police That 'He Couldn't Read'

Mississippi defensive lineman Jerrell Powe told police early Sunday that "he couldn't read" after he was cited for a noise violation after playing loud music in his apartment at The Exchange in Oxford.

Officer Zachary White said in his report that when his finished writing the citation, he asked Powe to read the bottom of it and then sign. Powe responded that "he couldn't read."

Powe was a member of Mississippi's 2005 recruiting class but was declared academically ineligible by the NCAA because he had not completed 14 core high school courses. He attended Hargrave Military Academy and applied for eligibility in 2006, but the NCAA still wouldn't clear him. Powe was allowed to enroll and receive academic and financial aid in 2007, but the NCAA still ruled him ineligible to practice or play.

He was cleared to compete in 2008 and had eight tackles.

Mississippi coach Houston Nutt said it's clear from the police report that Powe was joking.

"Of course he can read, how do you think he’s getting through college?" Nutt said. "Now he just needs to learn to keep his mouth shut."

Running back Enrique Davis was arrested during the same incident and charged with disorderly conduct. Nutt said Davis and Powe would be punished internally, but that Powe’s penalty would be more severe because "he should know better. He should be an example for the younger guys."

Comments

[Tim]

I like Nutt's response. He implies that it's foolish to even consider that he can't read at all (or at the least can't sign his name) and it seems to imply that Nutt is going to be yelling at him soon for the serious offense of "being an idiot when dealing with police officers".

That's the sort of offense that can cause real problems for someone.

[ColRebsLastBreath]

You probably ought to add that Powe ended up reading the citation after the officer said he would get charged with or without reading and signing it. Clearly he was being sarcastic and making fun of the popular joke that he can't read.

[Haha]

Yea, ColReb, cause that's what Powe is known for, sarcasm and wit.