Utah Should Not Reinstate Dominique Hatfield Despite Dismissal of Charges

Last week, Utah Utes‘ defensive back Dominique Hatfield made headlines after he was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery and theft, resulting in his dismissal from the football program. New evidence, however, has shown that Hatfield was not the person who robbed a man at knifepoint and has since had those charges dropped. Despite the dismissal of charges, though, Utah should not bring Hatfield back into the locker room in 2015.

Hatfield was a major piece of the Utah defense last season after starting 10 games and finishing with 38 tackles, an interception, and nine pass breakups. He figured to be an even bigger part of the defensive gameplan in 2015 thanks to his experience in a secondary that was looking a little green. Following his arrest, however, head coach Kyle Whittingham wasted little time dismissing him from the program. He later said that while he is “relieved” that Hatfield has been exonerated, it “does not necessarily impact” the discipline handed down to him.

While Hatfield may not have been the perpetrator of the robbery at knifepoint, that doesn’t mean he was cleared of any wrongdoing. In the process of talking with investigators, Hatfield denied his involvement in the robbery (which was corroborated by surveillance footage) but admitted to police that he commonly grabbed cell phones left out at parties by people that were drinking and would then try and sell them by posting ads online. That’s how he came to be arrested after he answered a fake-inquiry about cell phones sent to what was believed to be the same number involved in the armed robbery.

That practice, while not as serious in the eyes of the law, is still very troubling from a young man who was supposed to be a defensive leader on your football team. Engaging in a scheme to steal from other students and sell their property online shows a serious character issue that cannot be rewarded with a place on the football team. So while Dominique Hatfield was not responsible for the crime that Whittingham and the Utes thought he was, he was still engaging in unlawful behavior and the university should uphold his dismissal from the football team.

You can follow Tyler Brett on Twitter @ATylerBrett, on Facebook and on Google.