Jonathon Mincy: 'I have to pay the price' for arrest
AUBURN – The stark contrast in Jonathon Mincy's actions several weeks ago was hard for Auburn fans to comprehend.
Only days after participating in a D.A.R.E. event, the Tigers cornerback was arrested for possession of marijuana during a traffic stop near Abbeville on June 28.
"I put myself in that position and it was a mistake that I have to pay the price for," said Mincy, who spoke publicly for the first time since the incident on Sunday afternoon. "I've just got to get them fans back."
In a series of very carefully phrased responses to 16 questions during a six-plus minute news conference, Mincy said the words "mistake" six times and "trust" four times. It very similar to the responses that came immediately after from Marshall, who also spoke Sunday for the first time since his July marijuana citation.
A senior starter and preseason third-team All-SEC selection, Mincy entered a pre-trial diversion program on July 25 and the case is closed.
"I made a mistake," Mincy said. "Right now, I'm very apologetic to everybody that is a part of the Auburn family -- the coaches, the fans and my teammates. Day in and day out, (I'm) just trying to get everybody's respect back."
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Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said neither Mincy nor quarterback Marshall will start Auburn's season opener against Arkansas on Aug. 30.
Mincy, who started all 14 games at field corner for the Tigers last season, is unsure of when he'll be allowed to take the field for the first time.
"I trust coach and that's the biggest thing - is just getting his trust," he said. "Whatever the punishment, I open it with open hands."
Mincy said cornerbacks coach Melvin Smith has been a "father figure" to him amid this difficult time.
"Jonathon has never had a problem with anything like that before in his career, so I know who he is," Smith said. "He's been good, more consistent, but he's really been consistent since this happened. I felt like it was a negative but it was good. Sometimes you have some adversity."
Mincy had 56 tackles, 14 pass breakups and an interception last season. He is projected to return to his starting role once his suspension is over and was hoping to be named the defensive captain, but that now looks in doubt.
"That's up to my coaches and my teammates," Mincy said. "I'm just going in day in and day out getting their respect back."