University of Montana quarterback Nate Montana was arrested over the weekend for drunken driving and speeding in Missoula. The son of NFL legend Joe Montana was taken into custody at a traffic stop after officers said he failed several field sobriety maneuvers. When officers asked Nate to submit to a breathalyzer test, “Mr. Montana declined that test and he was detained,” according to the Missoulian. The 21-year old athlete pleaded not guilty and will appear in court on August 3. On the advice of his attorney, Montana declined to comment on the incident. After spring practice, he was widely considered to be the top candidate for starting quarterback at the University of Montana.
As the Associated Press reported: “Montana, a quarterback who transferred from Notre Dame to the University of Montana in February, was one of 11 Notre Dame athletes arrested on charges of under-age drinking in South Bend, Ind., last July.” (His father, Joe, once quarterbacked the Notre Dame football team.)
University of Montana Executive Vice President Jim Foley said what universities always say when a top athlete is arrested for alcohol-related misadventures: The university will continue to monitor the judicial process, and disciplinary steps, should there be any, will be handled internally.