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This Story, About Notre Dame’s Quarterback Getting Pepper-Sprayed And Arrested At A House Party, Is Fantastic

A party ain’t a party until your quarterback tries to knee a cop and gets pepper-sprayed.

That’s what happened to Fighting Irish signal-caller Tommy Rees last night on Notre Dame avenue, after South Bend police responded to a call about a loud party at 12:30 a.m.

When the police arrived at the off-campus home they found a “madhouse” of people outside drinking and congregating and generally “enjoying the warm night.” It was then that the 19-year-old Rees, who is not known for his mobility, decided to bolt.

As officers approached, five or six people hopped a fence and led police on a chase, Trent said. The officers caught up with the group and used their hands to corral them, but Rees “actively resisted,” Trent said.

“It wasn’t terribly violent, but it was enough to be considered resisting,” he said.

One officer suffered a minor scrape and “had the wind knocked out of him” while trying to stop the group, Trent said. Rees lifted a knee into that officer, Trent said. Rees also was pepper-sprayed while on the ground, police said.

That’s good hustle. Also arrested at the scene: linebacker Carlo Calabrese, 21, on a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct. Calabrese allegedly tried to intervene on his friend’s behalf, which is never a good idea when your friend is busy getting pepper-sprayed by cops.

Also not a good idea: saying this to the arresting officers…

“My people will get you.”

… Which is what got Calabrese arrested as well.

As for Rees, he faces charges of resisting law enforcement, felony battery to law enforcement, minor consumption and public intoxication. He spent last night in the slammer, and is waiting to be arraigned. But it may not happen until Friday at noon, meaning he’d have to spend another night in jail. Even worse, the Irish have a bunch of talented quarterbacks on the roster, meaning he may have just lost his starting job.

At least he’s got a good story to tell.

[The Chicago Tribune]