“We are all guilty of making bad decisions”: Oklahoma State HC Mike Gundy clarifies viral statement on Ollie Gordon II’s DUI arrest

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy has come under fire from the fans for his statements during the Big 12 Media Days about Ollie Gordon II's arrest. The Cowboys' star running back was arrested on June 30 and charged with DUI (Driving under the influence).

Many had thought this would entail some kind of punishment from the school, with Gordon II losing some playing time. At the very least, perhaps the school would have avoided parading him in public for the foreseeable future.

Mike Gundy had other plans in mind, with the head coach of the Cowboys putting the tail-back front and center of the school's media day. Gundy said the following of Ollie Gordon II's DUI arrest during media day, which went viral:

"Not to get into the legal side of it, but I thought really two or three beers or four - I'm not justifying what Ollie did, I'm telling you what decision I made - well, I thought, 'I've probably done that a thousand times in my life and it's just fine. So, I got lucky. People get lucky. Ollie made a decision that he wish he could've done better."

Some thought that the coach might be referencing several occasions where he also drank and drove, which forced him to go on X to clarify. He tweeted:

Ollie Gordon II was a key piece on the offensive during the Cowboys' 2023 campaign. He ran 1,732 yards and scored 21 rushing touchdowns. For his efforts, he was rewarded with the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, the Doak Walter Award, a First Team All-Big 12 selection, and a Unanimous All-American selection.

Mike Gundy's punishment for Ollie Gordon II

What raised the most eyebrows of all the statements offered on Tuesday about Ollie Gordon II's situation, was Mike Gundy's supposed punishment for the player:

"He's going to play, I'm going to do what we think is best for Oklahoma State football. And I think it's best for Ollie to play. If there's any punishment, it's making him carry the ball 50 times in the first game."

The statement made many fans scratch their heads, wondering if playing could even be considered a punishment for an athlete. Others wondered about the wisdom of allowing the head coach of a top football program to utter those kinds of statements.

The Cowboys open their season against an FCS-level school, the South Dakota State Jackrabbits on August 31. The game will be a home affair for the Cowboys, as it will be played in Stillwater, Oklahoma. In Week 2 Oklahoma State makes an SEC trip down to Fayetteville, to face the Arkansas Razorbacks.