Pitt senior middle linebacker Adam Gunn spent most of his life building a reputation as a person of high character, a leader on and off the football field and a model citizen.

Then he discovered the hard way that one night of bad choices can ruin a lifetime of making good ones. But he also has discovered the importance of having a good reputation as he's received plenty of grace and forgiveness from his friends, family and coaches as well as the court system.

Now he's back on the road to redemption, thankful that he has been afforded a second chance to make good on his promise to become the kind of person who really makes a difference in the community and as a role model for kids.

"I have never been on the other side of the law before and I don't ever want to be there again," Gunn said in his first interview since he was arrested May 9 and charged with two misdemeanor (resisting arrest and failure to disperse) and two summary offenses (disorderly conduct and public drunkenness) for an altercation with police officers outside a Station Square nightclub.

"I think the first thing I need to say is that I'm sorry and I take full responsibility for my actions -- I know I let my team down, my family down and my coaches down -- but more than anything else, I let myself down.

"The whole entire incident could have and should have been avoided."

The incident began when Gunn, 22, and a few of his friends, including former Pitt linebacker Austin Ransom, tried to cut in line at the door to get into Club Zen.

Police officers at the scene escorted Gunn and his friends away from the club but he allegedly turned and tried to circle past them. A skirmish then ensued -- Ransom allegedly punched one of the officers -- and Gunn tried running through the parking lot and police chased him and zapped him with a Taser gun.

Gunn, who is from Kiski Area High School, was taken to the hospital to have the prongs from the Taser removed then taken to jail, where he waited to be arraigned. By that point, he sobered up enough to realize that he had made a huge mistake.

All of the charges have since been withdrawn -- and mostly because he has a track record of being a good citizen -- but the stain on Gunn's reputation remains, though those who know him never lost faith in him.

"I was very thankful to have all the charges withdrawn and I don't take that lightly," Gunn said. "Right after the incident, I talked with the officers and made sure they know how much respect I have for them and for their profession and for what they do. I think they understood that I was genuinely being apologetic. I respect them, I always have.

"I think what made me feel good was when I met with the team leaders and apologized for them and [Cedric McGee] said to me, 'you've been here five years and you've never been in trouble -- that's all you need to say. We know who you are and what you stand for and we're behind you.' -- that was special to me."

Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said: "Adam made a mistake, he knows this and he knew that right after it happened. But we always say -- it isn't the mistake, it is how you handle yourself after it and he's been, true to his form, unbelievable. He is sorry, there is no question, but he is a team leader and he is a guy I have never lost faith in."

Gunn graduated with a 3.6 grade point average with a bachelor's degree in communication and rhetoric and is currently enrolled in Pitt's graduate school of public and international affairs. He is two classes away from his master's degree in public and non-profit management.

Gunn is hoping to start a non-profit organization focused on mentoring and rewarding kids for achievement in the classroom, in sports and in other activities and he already is laying the groundwork for it. He also has been involved in numerous community projects and worked with numerous charities during his career at Pitt.

In the meantime, he will prepare to step into the sizeable shoes left by All-American Scott McKillop at middle linebacker and finish his career with a strong season.

Gunn, who redshirted as a freshman, broke his neck in the first game last season and was granted a sixth-year of eligibility by the NCAA.

That fact, combined with the fact that he was suspended indefinitely -- he has since been reinstated -- by Wannstedt after the incident at Station Square, have given him a newfound respect for his career and he has learned to appreciate every moment more than ever before.

"You can't take any moment for granted, it can all go away in a heartbeat," Gunn said. "Whether it is an injury or self-inflicted, you have to keep your guard up at every moment, be humble and be thankful. I know playing football is a privilege, only a few get to do it and I'm blessed to be one of those."