Former Michigan football star QB, current staffer Denard Robinson arrested for OWI

Former Michigan football star quarterback Denard Robinson, who is currently a staff member in the program, was arrested for operating while intoxicated (OWI) early Monday morning in Ann Arbor.

Robinson, 33, was arrested after he was involved in a single-vehicle crash at E. Eisenhower Parkway and S. State at approximately 3:05 a.m. Monday, according to Chris Page, the strategic communications manager for the Ann Arbor Police Department.

Robinson has been suspended by the program.

"We are aware of an incident involving Denard Robinson and have suspended him indefinitely," Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore said in a statement. "We will continue to monitor the situation and will have no further comment at this time."

There is not a police report yet available, however, the Free Press has requested one via a Freedom of Information Act. A U-M spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment; all charges are pending toxicology results, according to Page.

Denard Robinson talks with Brady Hoke during a game in Sept. 2012.
Denard Robinson talks with Brady Hoke during a game in Sept. 2012.

Robinson is now the second staff member in the past two months to be arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence. On March 16, defensive line coach Greg Scruggs was arrested for OWI shortly after 2 a.m. after he had left the Pretzel Bell in downtown Ann Arbor.

Scruggs, who was officially hired by Moore less than a month earlier, was immediately suspended and subsequently resigned March 21.

Robinson, who set the NCAA record for career rushing yards by a quarterback (4,495 yards) and single-season rushing yards (1,702) and was an All-American in 2010 during his historic career from 2009-12, was brought on by former head coach Jim Harbaugh as assistant director of player personnel in 2022 and retained despite massive turnover under Moore.

Former Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, center, smiles at someone in the stands as he walks in with the Michigan football team before the start of the College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
Former Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, center, smiles at someone in the stands as he walks in with the Michigan football team before the start of the College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.

Robinson was selected in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he played four years as a running back, then joined the front office.

Robinson in 2016 was found asleep at the wheel after driving into a retention pond in Jacksonville at 4:20 a.m. Authorities determined he was not impaired, despite the fact he thought he was still on the road and did not want to exit the vehicle.

Michigan is scheduled to host its annual spring football game on Saturday (Noon, Fox).

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football's Denard Robinson arrested for OWI

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