Update: ASJ apologizes as charges await report

As the city attorney’s office looks into filing charges against Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Washington’s premier tight end issued an apology through the school Monday afternoon.

“Coach Sarkisian holds our team to high standards on and off the field, and I fell short of those standards this weekend,” the statement read. “I apologize for letting down my family, my team and the entire University of Washington community. I will take full responsibility for my actions and work to use this as a learning experience.”

A spokesman for the attorney’s office said a decision on charges awaits a toxicology report on blood taken from Seferian-Jenkins early Sunday morning at Harborview Hospital, where he was taken by ambulance after he was arrested for DUI following a one-car accident. A witness told police his car was speeding, went off the road bed and was stopped by a catch basin at the edge of Ravenna Park northwest of the university, where police found him sitting on the curb.

Police said Seferian-Jenkins’ injuries, including a bloody nose, and a “star-shaped” break on the windshield, were consistent with the driver hitting the windshield with his face.

The Huskies are scheduled for their fourth of 15 spring practices Tuesday night. In a statement Sunday, coach Steve Sarkisian said discipline would be forthcoming.

The University of Washington issues a Student-Athlete Handbook, a 60-page guide full of rules, policies, tips and recommendations, including a code of conduct that spells out a disciplinary process.

It reads that violations of conduct “will be handled on a case by case basis, and the discipline imposed for a violation shall depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each case. The discipline process administered by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is separate and supplemental to the University’s discipline process.

“Possible sanctions by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics include warnings, reprimands, mandatory counseling, community service, probation, suspension from team activities, dismissal from the team, and revocation/reduction/non-renewal of athletically related financial aid.

“When a student-athlete has been arrested or charged with a violation of criminal law, the student-athlete will be placed on administrative suspension from all team activities pending further investigation. If the alleged criminal activity would constitute a misdemeanor offense, the head coach may lift the administrative suspension after obtaining the approval of the sport administrator. If the alleged criminal activity would constitute a felony, the administrative suspension may be lifted only upon authorization of the Director of Athletics.”

The 6-foot-6, 266-pound Seferian-Jenkins, 20, was among the three finalists for the Mackey Award given to the nation’s best tight end. As a sophomore, he holds the UW career record for single season catches, yardage and touchdowns.