DURHAM -- Three former Duke University football players pleaded guilty to firearms charges Tuesday and will not return to campus.
John Drew, Brandon Putnam and Kyle Griswould were ordered to serve a year's probation, perform 140 hours of community service and each pay a $500 fine plus court costs on charges of possessing a weapon on educational property and carrying a concealed weapon.
Duke football coach David Cutcliffe dismissed the three freshmen from the team in January, after Duke University police heard gunshots from a vehicle near Jarvis Residence Hall. No one was injured in the incident. Police found a semi-automatic handgun, and all three players were charged.
"We believe that each individual shot the gun at least once," Assistant Police Chief Gloria Graham said.
Each lost an athletic scholarship valued at more than $200,000.
"It's a heavy price to lose for some stupid conduct," said Superior Court Judge David LaBarre. "Is it getting that dangerous to be out there at Duke, that you need to carry a gun?"
They are all looking to enroll at other schools. Putnam's lawyer, Bill Thomas, said his client may reapply to Duke, where he had a 3.7 grade point average in the fall. Neither Putnam nor the others will be allowed on campus during their probationary year.
"He's never been in trouble, not one thing in his life," said Thomas, who said the players fired straight up in the air.
"This is out of character with Mr. Griswould," said his lawyer, Edward Falcone, who said Griswould's father is a police captain in Columbus, Ga. "It was just a very isolated incident."
Drew, a defensive tackle, was the only one of the three to see playing time in the fall. His lawyer, Butch Williams, said Drew is in contact with several other schools about football opportunities, including N.C. Central University.
"In all likelihood he'll be coming back to another school here in the city," Williams said. "His brother plays for Central. He's got family ties at Central."
