Posted 7/6/2005 4:30 PM USA Today

Star linebacker Sims arrested on domestic battery charge
By Brent Kallestad, The Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida State junior linebacker Ernie Sims was arrested on misdemeanor charges of domestic battery and resisting arrest without violence early Wednesday.
Sims, 20, was arrested by Tallahassee Police shortly after a 2 a.m. incident with his live-in girlfriend, Brooke McGriff, who refused to press charges.

The 6-foot, 225-pound Sims was released from jail after an 8 a.m. court appearance before Leon County Judge Donald S. Mondesitt. Both charges are first degree misdemeanors.

"Our athletic department discipline policy for a misdemeanor goes into effect with Ernie and he will be subject to that until I have all the facts," coach Bobby Bowden said in a statement released by the school.

Bowden, in most cases, has discretion on misdemeanor cases where no jail time is involved under Florida State's Code of Conduct.

Witnesses told police that at one point Sims "slammed her on the ground" and straddled the 5-foot-2, 118-pound McGriff as she lay on the concrete in front of a residence hall near the Florida State campus.

As she tried to stand, the player repeatedly shoved her back onto the ground. Sims remained aggressive when officers arrived, the police report said.