Say It Ain't So, Joe (Hamilton)!

Early Tuesday morning, former Tech legend Joe Hamilton was pulled over by Georgia Tech police. His bloodshot eyes and the smell of alcohol prompted them to take a closer look. Apparently, a "left handed" cigarette and an open container (of alcohol) was found in the car. And to top it off, his car matched the description of an SUV that had earlier been involved in a hit and run elsewhere in Atlanta. Joe Hamilton was booked into the Fulton County lockup.

Joe Hamilton arrived at Georgia Tech over 10 years as a little regarded scrambling quarterback from South Carolina. By the end of his senior year in 1999, Joe had beaten UGA on two occasions, he had engineered a number of thrilling wins in high profile bowls, and he was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy! Needless to say, the mere mention of Joe Hamilton's name in these parts evokes memories of the glory days of Georgia Tech Football. He received his degree last summer and just two weeks ago, took a job in the GT Athletic Department as an Assistant Director of Player Personnel.

Joe Hamilton for Heisman

The news about Joe Ham is something that no one who loves Tech Football wants to hear or believe. After some protestations about his innocence, Hamilton has resigned his position with the football program.

Check out the AJC story about the arrest here.
Check out the AJC story about his resignation here.


plez sez: mildly shocking news! i guess that plezWorld has become jaded by the antics of celebrities, no matter how minor they may be. i kept hoping that there would be some mistake or that... well, it's obvious that mr. hamilton is in no position to have parents entrust their teenagers to his care during their most impressionable years. i can't really see him discouraging a young man from not having a drink or taking a toke from a joint.

this was obviously a serious lapse in judgement to be out drinking and getting high, and then trying to drive around the crazy streets of atlanta. i still wish joe the best!

joe is a small guy, standing less than 5'8", with the heart of a giant! i still remember a game when he was knocked out cold after a vicious sack. and then all of the fans in bobby dodd stadium started chanting, "JOE! JOE! JOE! JOE!" exhorting joe to rise from the turf and lead the yellow jackets to victory. he eventually got up to a standing ovation, he came back into the game in the next series and worked his magic and led TECH to another victory at the Flats.

let's hope and pray that joe can get up off the turf one more time... this time, for his own good!