Jordan Carey kicked off Oregon team, admits marijuana problem
Carey got the boot last week because traces of the active ingredient in pot were found in a drug screening test he took last week, his second drug offense in six months, he said in a written statement provided to The Olympian.
He also acknowledged being put on probation last spring and suspended from the season opener after testing positive for the same substance.
"I know that I have a substance abuse problem and that I need to work this through to move forward in a positive and healthy way," Carey said. "Over the summer I worked on making different choices, but I was not successful."
NCAA Division I athletes are tested for drugs twice a year. After Carey tested positive in the spring, he was subjected to more frequent random tests.
Ducks coach Mike Bellotti would not comment after announcing the dismissal Tuesday "for repeated violations of team rules."
Carey, a 5-foot-11, 205-pound sophomore who was Washington state's Class 4A high school player of the year while playing for Capital High in 2002, had been moved from backup wide receiver to safety last week.
His most noteworthy performance on the field was as a freshman when he recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown after a blocked punt in the Ducks' 31-3 upset of then-No. 3 Michigan on Sept. 20, 2003.
Carey, who graduated from high school a quarter early to enroll at Oregon and get a head start on preparing for college football, said he was still attending classes but wasn't sure whether he would complete the semester.
"We're trying to figure out what's best in dealing with his addiction, to get that squared away," said Michael Carey, Jordan's father. "That's the number one priority. Football and school are secondary.
"Once that's dealt with, then he's going to take a hard look and decide where he wants to go from there. I don't know what that's going to be."