Every time we post on the Joe Mixon off-field situation, we’re inevitably asked in the comments section or in a handful of emails if either, one, the video of the incident has been released or, two, if the video will be released.
In regards to the latter question -- and the former as well, actually -- the answer is an unequivocal no.
Friday morning, The Oklahoman writes, "[a] Cleveland County [Okla.] district judge ruled against the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters on Friday in a lawsuit aimed at making the surveillance video in the Joe Mixon case public.” The judge, Thad Balkman, did preserve a copy of the three-minute video.
In mid-August of last year, Mixon was suspended by Oklahoma for the entire 2014 season, a punitive measure that meant the running back would be excluded from any and all team activities. The one-year suspension came about after Mixon was accused of punching a woman in a late-July confrontation, breaking four bones in her face and leaving her unconscious. Media covering OU viewed a copy of the security tape that caught the exchange, including the knockout punch, between the woman and Mixon; Mixon’s attorney had previously claimed the altercation was preceded by racial slurs.
The OU hierarchy, including president David Boren, athletic director Joe Castiglione and head football coach Bob Stoops, viewed a copy of the video prior to suspending Mixon.
In late October, a plea deal was reached in the case that helped Mixon avoid a trial. As part of that deal, Mixon was given a one-year deferred sentence, 100 hours of community service and will be required to attend cognitive behavior counseling.
Earlier this year, Mixon was welcomed back to the Sooners and will participate in spring practice.
Mixon was a five-star member of the Sooners’ 2014 recruiting class, rated as the No. 1 running back and the No. 8 player at any position in the country. He was the highest-rated member of an OU class that was ranked 15th in the country.
