Michigan DT Mazi Smith defends his character, explains his side of gun arrest
Michigan defensive tackle Mazi Smith was days away from getting his concealed weapon permit when he was pulled over in October, leading to his arrest for gun possession. He told his side of the story to the media Wednesday prior to Saturday’s Fiesta Bowl against TCU, noting he was honest with everyone … starting with the officer who stopped him, and including head coach Jim Harbaugh.
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His arrest resulted in a misdemeanor that will be cleared from his record if he stays out of trouble, which is common for young, first-time offenders.
“I told coach everything from the get-go, just like I told the police officer the truth from the get-go,” Smith said, noting he had already completed his 8-hour training class to carry. “Honesty is the best policy, and that’s what I was.
“I had my certificate, and I meant to turn it in a couple of days before I got pulled over, but I had to reschedule for Wednesday of the week after. So, I was like four days away from turning in my paper.”
Rivals and even some Michigan fans were critical of him and Harbaugh for the way the coach handled the situation. He refused to suspend Smith, insisting they let it run its course through the legal system.
What Harbaugh believed was what played out — that there was nothing nefarious about Smith’s intentions.
“People get a story and they take it and run with it, make it seem like something that it’s not,” Smith said. “I think it just shows how quick the tables can turn on you. Everybody goes from thinking this of you … you have a misunderstanding, and they think something completely different. But that’s life. That’s a life lesson.”
He was also grateful to have his coach’s support.
“Coach Harbaugh still trusted me to be a leader on this team and captain,” Smith continued. “I much appreciate it, because he didn’t have to.
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“That’s what I came here [to Michigan] for. I didn’t come here to play for somebody who didn’t look out for me and take care of me, that didn’t love me and know who I was.”
Smith admitted he hated the attention, but he knew he still had to play at a high level for his team while going through the system. He was able to continue to lead and earned All-Big Ten honors for the Big Ten champs.
“I’m a big compartmentalizer. Everything isn’t always going to go your way sometimes,” Smith said. “I’m a young kid. I make mistakes. At the same time, I had a job to do.”
He also had the full support of his other coaches and teammates, as well.
“I know what type of person he is,” defensive coordinator Jesse Minter said. “The guys in our locker room know what person he is. The coaching staff knows what type of person he is. So, I don’t think on the inside it was ever a distraction at all.”
“Coach [Harbaugh] did everything right with the team,” Michigan co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale added. “He expressed to the coaches how we were going to handle it. He expressed to Mazi and his family how it was going to be handled, and I don’t think he could have handled it a different way.”
