Levi Copelin (photo/Mizzou Athletics)
The NCAA suspended Mizzou sophomore wide receiver Levi Copelin for the 2014-15 season. Copelin is from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
STATEMENT FROM LEVI COPELIN
“The reason I am suspended is that I recently bought an over-the-counter nutritional supplement from a local store, and used it as part of my workout routine. Unfortunately, I used it without clearing it with my strength coaches or trainers. This supplement is legal and available to the public, but it isn’t approved by the NCAA, and as a result of using it, I failed an NCAA drug test. This was a stupid mistake on my part, and I’m very sorry that I put myself and my team in this situation. This is a hard lesson to learn, as I never had the wrong intentions. I also understand there aren’t any shortcuts to success. There’s nothing I can do except dedicate myself to representing me, my family, my team, and Mizzou the right way going forward. I’m very grateful to my coaches and my teammates for giving me a chance to overcome this.”
STATEMENT FROM HEAD FOOTBALL COACH GARY PINKEL
“This is a very unfortunate situation, but one that Levi created for himself. He’s paying the price for this mistake, and I commend him for owning up to it and taking responsibility. Our strength coaches and trainers rely on our players to be careful of what they do on their own, and to always get approval from them first. We’re disappointed that Levi didn’t follow this guideline, but we will support him during this time, and have high expectations that he will handle all of his responsibilities in the classroom, in the community and on the field in a first-class manner.”
University of Missouri police arrested Copelin along with Dorial Green-Beckham and Torey Boozer in October 2012 on suspicion of possession of 35 grams or fewer of marijuana. The three players later pleaded down charges to misdemeanor trespassing.
Copelin made four tackles on kickoff coverage and also blocked a punt and made three catches for 61 yards in all.