Oklahoma Sooners Football: OU announces Baker Mayfield’s punishment for Arkansas arrest

The University of Oklahoma has announced that Baker Mayfield will serve 35 hours of community service (some of which will be done with law enforcement) as punishment for his Feb. 25 arrest in Fayetteville, Ark. Mayfield will also have to attend university alcohol education classes.

Mayfield provided the following statement in a press release:

“As I stated earlier, I could not be more disappointed in my actions and the embarrassment they caused for my university and team”, Mayfield said. “I am anxious to fulfill the responsibilities that have been set and am continuing to dedicate myself to the high standard that everyone rightfully expects of someone in my position”

Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley had the following to say on the matter:

“Baker has expressed regret for his actions and backed up his apology by being a model leader in our program. He has learned from his mistake and will continue to grow from it. The coaching staff and team has every confidence in him going forward”.

Mayfield, who was a Heisman finalist in 2016, was arrested in Fayetteville, Ark., for public intoxication, disorderly conduct, fleeing and resisting arrest. According to the police report (and later confirmed by video), Mayfield was being questioned by police after breaking up a fight, at which point he decided to run. The officers then tackled him and rammed him into a retaining wall before cuffing him.

This, of course, seems to indicate that there will be no suspension for Mayfield, which doesn’t come as much of a surprise. When combining the community service, alcohol classes (which are not fun) and the inevitable one-on-ones with strength coach Jerry Schmidt, I’d say this is an appropriate punishment.

It should be noted that the Fayetteville court still hasn’t handed down it’s punishment yet, and we won’t find out about it until next week.