Missouri DE Nate Howard arrested on drug charges

Nov 12, 2016; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Barry Odom celebrates with Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Nate Howard (88) after the win over the Vanderbilt Commodores at Faurot Field. Missouri won 26-17. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Columbia, MO, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Barry Odom celebrates with Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Nate Howard (88) after the win over the Vanderbilt Commodores at Faurot Field. Missouri won 26-17. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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On Thursday, Missouri football entered the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, as defensive end Nate Howard was arrested on drug charges.

This, of course, is the type of news that hurts a program, but it’s also not a stranger to any program. While there are perceptibly “worse” things he could have done, it’s still illegal.

On Wednesday night, Howard was arrested by the University of Missouri Police Department during a traffic stop, and was taken into custody for alleged possession of a controlled substance.

According to Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post Dispatch, UMPD spokesman Maj. Brian Weimer stated that the nature of the traffic stop was due to Howard’s car displaying expired temporary tags, from June 2016.

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"UMPD spokesman Maj. Brian Weimer told the Post-Dispatch that Howard was stopped on Providence Road in Columbia shortly after 7 p.m. Wednesday due to expired temporary tags from June of 2016. Weimer said an investigation after the stop discovered illegal mushrooms and 10 grams or less of marijuana."

While marijuana charges aren’t the crime of the century, it’s one that has plagued the Tigers in recent history. Former defensive end Shane Ray, former wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham, Damerea Crockett, and many others have been cited in the past.

Howard’s alleged possession of illegal mushrooms could tip the scale as well; if convicted, he could be charged with a Class D felony

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Hopefully this will be the worst news of the still young 2017 season for the Tigers, and Howard will be able to rejoin the team once his legal matters are resolved. In the meantime, Mizzou spokesperson Chad Muller stated that Howard is “suspended indefinitely.”