Cornerback Tharold Simon expected to hear his name called from the Radio City Music Hall podium sometime on Saturday, but having it called by police on Thursday could get in the way of that.
Simon, who went to LSU, was arrested in Eunice, Louisiana and charged with public intimidation, resisting an officer and unnecessary noise violation. KATC-TV reports that a police report alleges an officer asked Simon to move his car and Simon responded by telling the officer “I own Eunice” and “you are gonna be mine” before eventually moving. The report goes on to say Simon “backed the vehicle in an aggressive manner” and turned the radio up while moving his car. Finally, Simon is accused of telling the officer that the mayor of Eunice was on his side and that the officer would be fired for writing him a ticket.
KATC-TV also spoke to the aforementioned mayor and Rusty Moody said that the town would go ahead with a ceremony proclaiming today “Tharold Simon” day in Eunice.
“In the United States, our justice system says everyone is innocent until proven guilty,” Moody said.
Indeed it does, but the NFL Draft doesn’t work the same way. Simon was projected to be a middle-round pick in this year’s draft and we’ll see whether this incident, which seems to show poor judgment more than criminal intent, has any impact on that status.
