Run-ins with the law are unfortunately all too common for some college football players. Every team has their bad seeds, the ones who just can't seem to stay out of trouble.
Most of these are not high-profile names like that of Baker Mayfield, who was tackled by police while in school at Oklahoma, or Aaron Hernandez, who showed multiple signs of a troubled mind while playing tight end at Florida. Marijuana possession, gun charges and DUIs are more common than being arrested for barking at a police canine.
Add a college linebacker body slamming a cop to the list.
Michael Harris Body Slams Police Officer
Eastern Kentucky University linebacker Michael Harris was caught on camera body slamming a police officer during a traffic stop this week in Grandview Heights, Ohio. Video shows the 6-foot-3, 240-pound Harris, who transferred from Auburn in December, lift the officer above his head before slamming him to the ground.
Dashcam footage shows two other Grove City Police officers help subdue Harris after the wrestling-like move. According to 247Sports, the law enforcement officers were called by employees of a business who said Harris showed up "for unknown reasons and refused to leave." After refusing orders from an officer, that's when the scuffle ensued.
"I'm very proud of their response," Grove City Police Department Lt. Eric Scott told ABC6. "That shows a level of professionalism. The officer who was picked up and put on the ground like he was was real controlled."
Harris was arrested following the incident that occurred outside of Ohio State University and is facing charges of assault on a police officer, disorderly conduct while intoxicated and resisting arrest. In the state of Ohio, first degree felony assault on a police officer can can result in up to 11 years in prison, fines up to $20,000 and a mandatory minimum sentence of at least three years in prison.
EKU has not released a statement regarding the parking lot altercation as of Thursday morning.
The 19-year-old Harris was a 2018 four-star recruit out Tucker High School in Tucker, Georgia. He committed to Auburn over SEC schools like Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU and Tennessee.
A redshirt sophomore, Harris played sparingly for the Tigers before transferring to EKU at the end of last season. It's unclear what type of role he was set to have for the Colonels, but there's a chance he won't be with the team following this event.