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Graham's Shot At FSU Reinstatement Takes A Hit

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By SCOTT CARTER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 24, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - Former Florida State starting tight end Charlie Graham remains hopeful he will play again for the Seminoles next season.

Still, Graham knows he didn't do himself any favors recently when he was cited by the Tallahassee Police Department for firing his legally owned handgun multiple times into the air within city limits. The incident comes in the wake of FSU star receiver Preston Parker's recent arrest on gun and drug charges.

Why did he do it?

According to a TPD incident report obtained Friday by The Tampa Tribune, "Mr. Graham was intoxicated and celebrating being eligible to play college football again."

Graham is upset at himself for his ill-advised decision, and he knows he could face extra obstacles to rejoin his teammates in light of Parker's recent troubles.

"That's probably why I might have a problem," Graham said Friday. "Everything school-wise is going great. Technically, I'm not on the team. I'm not even enrolled at Florida State, but if punishing me is what they want to do, then I have no choice, because I made a stupid choice."

According to the police report, officers were called to Graham's apartment May 15 after a neighbor called to say someone was outside the residence firing a gun into the air. After officers arrived at the scene, Graham and a companion were questioned.

In a written statement of the incident to police, Graham admitted firing the gun into the air outside his apartment, which is less than two miles from Doak Campbell Stadium.

Graham, who cooperated with officers throughout the investigation, was cited for discharging a firearm within city limits and had his .32-caliber semi-automatic weapon and a rifle confiscated.

Since the incident, Graham said the only person at FSU he has spoken to is offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher. If he returns, Graham is projected as FSU's starting tight end next season, and he said that after talking to Fisher that "it's still open" for him to return to FSU. Graham is enrolled at Tallahassee Community College and is scheduled to complete his final class to regain his FSU eligibility by the end of the summer.

An FSU athletic department official said Graham's case would be reviewed once he re-enrolls at the school.

Reporter Scott Carter can be

reached at (850) 294-3088 or

scarter@tampatrib.com.

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