Aggie QBs: a Criminal History

There is an old saying in Aggieland: "If something happens twice, it’s coincidence. If it happens three times, it’s tradition." In this light, the arrest of Kenny Hill this weekend for public intoxication can be seen as the continuation of what some would call the finest of all A&M traditions – the arrest of the star quarterback. Here is a look back on the transgressions of some of the noblest men of Kyle.  (HT to Fletcher Massie for the cover graphic.)

A.G. Knickerbocker

1918- Reckless Hatlessness and Ribaldry in the 2nd Degree

In the spring of 1918, A&M's squad was preparing for what would eventually be known as the school's first National Championship* season. However, the shining star of the team would also establish another great school tradition - the offseason arrest of the quarterback.

*As awarded by the Lovett-Drake Composite Rating.

Though the details remain scant, our crack research team was able to recover a portion of the original arrest record, indicating that Knickerbocker was a master of the Wing T as well as an incorrigible party hound:

"Whereaſ the aforementioned Miſter Knickerbocker waſ obſerved by policemen in wanton display of hatleſſneſſ in a public forum, and furthermore was overheard to tell taleſ of a moſt bawdy nature whilſt in the company of the more delicate half. Aſ ſuch, it is the penance ruled by thiſ court that the guilty party ſhall be made to conſume a liniment compoſed largely of cornmeal, lead powder, and ſyrup of ipecac, in the hope that it will aid in the removal of foul humourſ."

Gary Kubiak

1981 - Grand Theft: Livestock

Insisting initially that it was a harmless prank and then later claiming that he was entrapped by a Bryan PD: Special Livestock Unit sting operation, phenom QB and future NFL head coach Gary Kubiak was found guilty of stealing and then attempting to fence over 30 head of cattle. Pursuant to NCAA regulations of the early ‘80s, Kubiak was permitted to finish the season and was named to the All SWC team before serving a 7 year prison sentence.

John "Bucky" Richardson

1990 - Mail Fraud

Though the year would eventually see Richardson eviscerate BYU in the Holiday Bowl, 1990 began with a rough start after College Station PD officers busted a house party and found the quarterback attempting to sell counterfeit stamps that he had been making in his apartment. The charges were eventually dropped after police determined that Bucky had not successfully completed a single sales transaction, though he was convicted of a misdemeanor weapons charge for carrying a concealed switchblade at the time of arrest. When questioned about it Richardson responded that "the stamp game ain't for bitches" and that he "ain't goin' down like that".

Johnny Manziel

2012 - Public Inmoxycation and Possession Of Multiple Birthdays

In a moment this football savant went from obscure local folk hero to national headline, his infamous mug shot posted on news sites everywhere after his arrest for a shirtless, drunken fight outside a bar - an event that was later described as the "most SEC thing ever". As most predicted at the time, this would prove the end of a very promising career and "John Football" never was able to escape the shame of this unfortunate incident.

His whereabouts are currently unknown.