ORLANDO, Fla. – A University of Central Florida football player was arrested during a traffic stop on campus Thursday after a loaded gun was found in the vehicle, according to authorities.
UCF police said 22-year-old defensive back Antwan Collier was pulled over for driving carelessly in the area of Libra Drive on Gemini Boulevard.
Three other UCF players were in the car, according to the incident report.
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“I want to make it abundantly clear that the behavior of some of our football players last Thursday was completely inappropriate. Those actions are not who we are or what we’re about. They are not representative of our university or our program. That’s not us, that’s not UCF, that’s not UCF Football, and we have to be better than that,” UCF coach Josh Heupel said in a statement.
Collier showed his identification card but told the investigator he didn’t have a license and was working on getting one, the report said.
Records show Collier told the investigator he had a gun underneath his seat, which he was told to leave in that location.
“On behalf of our program, I want to apologize to everyone associated with UCF. It’s our responsibility to represent the University in the appropriate manner and it is essential that our players understand that," Heupel said.
The incident report shows the officers said they conducted a search after they said they smelled cannabis coming from the car.
Police said during the officer’s search of the Nissan Sedan, he found the gun unsecured and loaded with a live round in the chamber within immediate reach of the driver’s seat.
The University of Central Florida communication division conducted a check on the gun and investigators said Collier told the officer he does not possess a license for the weapon.
Collier is facing charges of carrying a concealed firearm without a license and driving with a suspended license.
Collier was transported to the Orange County Jail, according to police.
“UCF Athletics officials are aware of the matter involving Antwan Collier. We have no further comment as we learn additional details about the situation,” school officials said in a statement Friday.
As of Thursday, Collier is in the middle of an interim suspension process from UCF, according to the report.
Collier has started in five games as a defensive back for UCF this year, he has made 22 tackles this season.