No more Ore

WSLS News Staff
Published: March 19, 2008

Updated: 5:19 p.m.

Branden Ore is no longer a Hokie athlete.

A news release from Virginia Tech says discussions were held with Ore, and it was decided that Ore should pursue other opportunities.

Hokies head coach Frank Beamer said in a news release, “During recent meetings with Branden Ore, we have decided that it would be best for Branden to pursue other opportunities,“ Beamer said. “Branden has had many great moments here at Virginia Tech, and we wish him well in the future.“  Beamer added that he would not have any further comment.

Ore played in all 14 games last season, rushing for 992 yards, and scoring 10 touchdowns.  In 2006, Ore rushed for 1,137 yards and 16 touchdowns, and made all ACC 1st team.  He would have been a redshirt senior this coming fall.

Ore withdrew his name from consideration for the 2008 NFL draft back in January 17th.  At the time, he issued this statement; “I am determined to make my family and my teammates, along with the university and its fans, proud.  I plan on helping Virginia Tech to another successful season.“

But Ore has had his share of problems on an off the field.

Coach Beamer suspended Ore for the first quarter of the 2008 Orange Bowl, for arriving late to practice.  At the beginning of the 2007-2008 football season, Coach Beamer dropped Ore to the bottom of the depth chart for not attending summer school and summer workouts.  Before the 2006 season, Ore missed spring practice, and was out of school entirely, before returning in the summer, motivated and ready to go.

Ore also spent time inside a federal courtroom earlier this year.  Back on January 9th, federal prosecutors called Ore to testify in a drug case.  Prosecutors say Ore was in a car with Tony Majette in June of 2006, when Blacksburg Police found drugs in the car.  Ore testified that Majette was taking him to look at tires and rims.

Ore said when Blacksburg Police pulled over the car for dark window tinting, Majette panicked, and pulled a sandwich bag with cocaine out of his pocket, and threw it in Ore’s lap.  Ore said he tossed the bag to the side, because he didn’t want it in his lap.

Investigators say Majette was driving on a suspended license.  Ore says police asked for his license, but he did not have it on him, so Majette’s girlfriend picked Ore up and drove him to his apartment to get his wallet.

Ore told the court the drugs were found in the car while he was gone, and when Ore returned with his license, he was put in handcuffs and into a patrol car.

Police found two bags of drugs.  One beside the passenger seat, the other behind it, along with scales under the passenger seat.

Ore says he originally told police during questioning he did not know who the drugs belonged to, because he didn’t want to rat out a friend.  Ore says when he was told by an officer he would never play football at Virginia Tech again, he told them about Majette throwing the bag in his lap.  The officer denied saying that to Ore.

Majette’s defense argued Ore and Majette weren’t driving to look at tires, but were going to see a known drug dealer named Anthony Long, to get marijuana for Ore.  Ore said he had never heard of Long.

When put on the stand, the dealer said he only knew Ore from TV, and Majette was not bringing Ore to him as a new customer.

More information as it becomes available.