PSU's Bowman might have his life back in order at last
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- In late April, Penn State outside linebacker Navorro Bowman stood before Centre County Judge Bradley Lunsford and confessed that he had smoked marijuana.
Lunsford did not take too kindly to Bowman's admission, because he already had been on probation for his role in a fight at the student union in 2007.
Lunsford scolded Bowman, telling him if he violated any terms of his probation in the future, he would be headed to jail for six months.
In order to avoid jail time, Lunsford told Bowman he must meet with his probation officer once a month, undergo regular drug- and alcohol-testing, complete his community service, refrain from using alcohol or drugs for a year and stay out of bars for the same time period. His probation was extended through 2010.
Bowman did not talk to reporters that day, but he told Lunsford: "I will not be back here."
- Who: Akron vs. Penn State.
- When: noon, Saturday.
- Where: Beaver Stadium.
- What: 2009 season opener.
- TV: Big Ten Network.
- Radio: WEAE-AM (1250).
More than four months after appearing at the Centre County Courthouse Annex in Bellefonte, Bowman is holding up his end of the promise.
"There have been no issues whatsoever," Tom Young, the director of probation and parole for Centre County, said yesterday. "He's basically done what he's been asked to do. He's continuing to be cooperative and he has been in compliance with the judge's orders."
Young said his office continues to randomly test Bowman for drugs, as does Penn State. After Bowman flunked two university-administered drug tests earlier this year, coach Joe Paterno held Bowman out of the annual Blue-White spring game.
Paterno later summoned Bowman, a redshirt junior and first-team All-Big Ten Conference linebacker, to his office for a meeting.
"He and I had a little session," Paterno said. "He had to understand where I was coming from and the whole bit. I think he realized he's wasting a great opportunity in his life.
"In all fairness to the kid, he had a lot of bad things happen to him. I think that had a little bit of an impact on him. When you're at that age, maybe you start feeling a little sorry for yourself."
Bowman had lost his 52-year-old father, Hillard, in June 2008 after a blood clot developed following surgery. And the day before the Rose Bowl, his high school coach, Nick Lynch, was killed in a car accident.
Bowman, from the Washington, D.C., suburb of District Heights, Md., told Lunsford he hated to go home during breaks from school because of how rough things were in his old neighborhood. He also has cited his upbringing for his marijuana use.
"It's about growing up and realizing what's right and what's wrong," Bowman said. "Sure, the things that happened off the field make me look at things a little closer and make more right choices. A mistake is a mistake, and I own up to what I did. I haven't run from it. It opened my eyes a lot."
No one questions Bowman's talent on the field. He developed into an impact player last season after the Nittany Lions lost All-American Dan Connor to the NFL and Sean Lee to a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Bowman did not get his first start until the fourth game against Temple, but he finished with a team-leading 106 tackles. He also forced two fumbles, recovered one, and had one interception.
The Lions are counting on another big season from Bowman, provided he can avoid making headlines off the field.
"Navorro knows the situation -- he understands what his priorities are now," said Lee, a co-captain from Upper St. Clair High School. "He's had a tough year-and-a-half personally. I think he's ready to go."
Bowman has changed his jersey number from 18 to 11 due to his close relationship with former Penn State All-American LaVar Arrington from North Hills. Bowman and Lee will join middle linebacker Josh Hull in the starting lineup Saturday when the Lions open against Akron at Beaver Stadium.
Bowman, 21, insists he is on the right path now. The father of a 4-month-old son, he is on schedule to graduate in December.
"I do appreciate where I'm at and how special it is for me to be where I'm at now," Bowman said. "I just plan on doing what I got to do from here on out. I've got to be Navorro."
First Published September 3, 2009 12:00 am
