The speedy but obviously troubled Irish wide receiver is definitely not learning from his missteps.
Notre Dame wide receiver Kevin Stepherson has already had his second chance. The sophomore, whose speed was sorely missed in an already low wattage passing attack under the guidance of first-year starting quarterback Brandon Wimbush, was suspended for the first four games of the 2017 season for an unspecified violation of team rules.
When he returned to the lineup, he played well enough to lead the Fighting Irish in touchdown catches during their 9-3 regular season. But he won’t be bringing his big play ability to the Citrus Bowl to face LSU, because Stepherson and freshman running back C.J. Holmes were arrested for shoplifting, earning them both indefinite suspensions from the football team.
Surely, that would be Stepherson’s come to Jesus moment, right? Not so much, as reports came out today that he was stopped by police and charged with marijuana possession, driving without a license and speeding — the very next day after his shoplifting arrest.
Though Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly has already said Stepherson won’t be dismissed from school, his football career has to be over. He’s already had three strikes, incredibly using two of them within the span of 48 hours.
If it was just weed, or just the shoplifting, that would be one thing. But Stepherson obviously doesn’t care that much about staying on the football field or value being part of the team. His behavior could also be a cry for help, though that’s speculation best left for the experts.
Next: Florida State playing in a bowl despite probably not being bowl eligible
What can’t be debated is that he’s embarrassing Notre Dame football and the school in general with his blatant disregard for following rules of any kind. It’s hard to believe he’d be dumb enough to throw away his career so quickly and callously, but that’s exactly what’s happened.