VINCE YOUNG CLEARED TO PLAY IN CANADA
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| Photo: PedersenMedia |
By: Ryan Autullo
Austin American-Statesman
University of Texas football great Vince Young is allowed to play professionally in Canada while he’s on probation in Travis County, a county judge ruled Wednesday.
Young, through his attorney, asked Judge Elizabeth Earle for permission to relocate to Canada where he will play for Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League. Earle approved the request and wished Young well.
Young, who will turn 34 on Thursday, pleaded no contest in January to driving while intoxicated and was sentenced to 18 months probation.
Police say he admitted to drinking three or four beers on the evening of Jan. 24, 2016 when they pulled him over on the North Interstate 35 service road for driving erratically. According to the affidavit, Young had a strong odor of alcohol and slurred speech.
He struggled to complete a field sobriety test and lost balance during instructions. He refused a breathalyzer, and his blood-alcohol concentration came back 0.246 — three times the legal limit — according to the county attorney’s office.
Young completed several requirements of his probation, including attending a victim impact panel, and a 12-hour DWI education class, his attorney, Aaron Mueller, told the American-Statesman. Young still must complete 60 hours of community service and must continue to maintain a device in his vehicle that won’t start if it detects alcohol on his breath.
There was some discussion Wednesday that Young would request the court to revoke his probation and send him to jail so that he would be free of court oversight while he’s in Canada. But Earle felt that was unnecessary and told Young he could stay on probation.
Young’s Saskatchewan team opens the exhibition season June 10.
