"Where You At?" is my attempt at having a regular feature. I still have no idea how often these things will be posted, but thanks to the guys at mgoblog, I now have a lot of names to look up. By suggestion of Dex of Wolverine Liberation Army, former Michigan safety Shonte Peoples is the subject of today's edition.
I have to admit, Shonte Peoples was before my time (barely). I first started going to Michigan football games in 1994, at the tender age of 6, and Peoples' last season at U of M was 1993. However, by all accounts (and statistics), the Saginaw native was a beast. Playing the strong safety position, he recorded 152 tackles and 7 interceptions in his three-year career. He was All-Big Ten his junior season, notching 67 tackles and 3 interceptions. His senior year, he had 76 tackles and 3 picks. He clearly looked to be in the Ernest Shazor mold of a safety, as today's coaching staff would take one look at him and move him to linebacker.
Simply Shazorian
The comparisons to Shazor do not end with his position, physique, or collegiate success. Much like Shazor, who left Michigan early after an All-American 2004 season and was never heard from again, Peoples could bring the crazy. In 1994, Shonte was arrested for shooting at undercover police officers from the balcony of his apartment, thinking they were trying to steal his Jeep from the parking lot. Peoples was charged, and found guilty for, two counts of felony assault with a dangerous weapon.
That same year, Peoples signed with the Las Vegas Posse (I'm not going to touch that one), an expansion franchise in the Canadian Football League. He became a linebacker/defensive end in the CFL, as he was too big and slow to play safety (sound familiar?). Peoples bounced around the CFL, playing for five teams between 1994 and 2003. Despite his transient ways, he was actually a very successful player. His best season came in 1997, when he won the James P. McCaffrey Trophy as the best defensive player in the East Divison while playing for the Winnepeg Blue Bombers. He also made the CFL All-Star Team as a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2000 and 2001.
Peoples: Transgressions as a Rider (CP Photo/John Ulan)
Peoples was arrested again in 2003, this time for possession of 30 grams of marijuana. Although the charges were later dropped, he would not play again in the CFL (although it would inspire, well, Canadian humor). Despite extensive searching, I have no idea what Peoples is up to these days, although I'm sure smarmy CFL message board posters have their theories.
Shonte Peoples (Wikipedia)
1992 Football Team (Bentley Historial Library)
MGoBlue Statistics Archive
Drug charges for Riders' Peoples (CBC)
7 comments:
In 1994, Shonte was arrested for shooting at undercover police officers from the balcony of his apartment, thinking they were trying to steal his Jeep from the parking lot. Peoples was charged, and found guilty for, two counts of felony assault with a dangerous weapon.
Holy shit, I did not know that. And since when is having 30 grams of marijuana a crime in Canada?
Thanks for this, I really enjoy this feature.
Canadians are so weird. Great recap!
Nice recap. Although I thought it was the Markley parking lot for some reason...
the whereabouts of Shonte Peoples is not a secret is it?
Shonte Peoples used to live next door to me in the South Quad dorms of Michigan. I have no fond memories of him and his roommate, Markus. They would blast their bass-heavy stereo well into the night so we never got any sleep.
He was a doing very well and back in Detroit last time I talked to him, which was about three years ago. We've lost touch but I wish him well.
I'm sure he is doing well. He left a trail of unpaid bills in his wake. Karma will equal the score. Must suck to have to always look over your shoulder to see if the creditors have finally tracked you down. What a loser with a capital L
Post a Comment