Vontae Davis was arrested a few weeks back...or was he?

Of course a story like this would develop on a day when I wasn't around a computer much of the time.

Anyways, here's the latest.  This all started with a report in The Daily Illini - the campus newspaper for the University of Illinois - that claimed Dolphins CB Vontae Davis was pulled for a routine traffic stop on June 9  was charged with driving without a valid license and "unnecessary vehicular noise."

However, both the Dolphins and Vontae Davis deny this report.  In fact, Dolphins' VP of media relations, Harvey Greene, told the Sun-Sentinel the following:

"I talked to Vontae, and he told me he was here all day on June 9. It was an OTA day, followed by a rookie symposium that we know kept him in the building until at least 3:30 [p.m.]. There was no way he could have been in Illinois at 6:40 [p.m.] or whenever that happened."

Greene also says that Davis was back at the Dolphins' facility at 7 in the morning on June 10.  So how could Davis have been pulled over in Illinois at 6:47 pm on the 9th?

Davis did say that he had his wallet stolen before he left Illinois.  He says that he cancelled all his credit cards and reported the theft.  So that could explain this situation.  Says Vontae, "That's the only thing I can think of. But that shouldn't be able to work if the police know that person doesn't look like me."

Vontae also claims he hasn't been in Champaign, Illinois since February.

The police spokesperson, Rene Dunn, said that she never told the newspaper in Illinois that it was the football star, Vontae Davis, who was actually arrested.  She also said that she plans on speaking with the Dolphins do get to the bottom of this.  But she wants to make it clear the police department is not the one that is badmouthing Vontae.  It seems like it was a situation created by the newspaper - probably to help generate publicity for the paper.

Vontae's agent, Todd France, told the Sun-Sentinel:

"It is my understanding that not only was Vontae Davis in South Florida all day on June 9, but also the team confirmed he was at OTA's that day and was there at 7 am the next morning for workouts.  The team also confirmed that he attended a rookie life-skill session that ended at 3:30 p.m. on June 9 making it unfeasible for him to be in Illinois at the alleged 6:47 arrest time. This is not just 'Vontae's claim' but a fact and supported by the Miami Dolphins. It’s a shame to try and tarnish a person's name no matter how small or big the accusation is. Bottom line, we are looking further into it and will consider our legal options as far as the false report."

What does all this mean?  It means that The Daily Illini should be ashamed of themselves for slandering the name of one of their former football stars.  And it means that this situation should be forgotten very soon - because it's really much ado about nothing.