Ole Miss Star Robert Nkemdiche Says He Wasn't On Drugs During Hotel Fall

An Ole Miss football player facing drug possession charges after he fell or jumped out of his Buckhead hotel room on Saturday says he wasn’t on drugs at the time of the incident.

“Contrary to a report by FOX Sports, I did not use synthetic drugs,” Robert Nkemdiche said in a statement released Wednesday. “I am a very spiritual person, and drugs have no place in my belief system.”

The FOX Sports report claims Nkemdiche was under the influence of synthetic marijuana when he fell out of his fourth-story room at the Hyatt in Buckhead on Saturday night.

“I realize the dangers of drugs and alcohol and regret the lapse in judgment,” Nkemdiche said in his statement, which can be read in full below.

An Atlanta police report claims that an officer who entered Nkemdiche’s room discovered “approximately 7 rolled marijuana cigarettes, rolled in Cigarillo Blunt papers.” Additionally, the officer noted the room was in ”complete disarray.”

Following treatment at Grady Memorial Hospital, Nkemdiche was arrested and charged with possession of less than one ounce of marijuana.

Nkemdiche’s Statement

I want to apologize to Rebel Nation, my teammates and my coaches for my actions last weekend. I made a mistake and put myself in an environment that does not reflect who I am as a person. Contrary to a report by FOX Sports, I did not use synthetic drugs. I realize the dangers of drugs and alcohol and regret the lapse in judgment. This does not reflect the core values that my mother and father instilled in our family. I am a very spiritual person, and drugs have no place in my belief system.
As I move forward, I have learned a valuable lesson about the ramifications of a bad decision. I have worked very hard to have this platform, and I want to use it in the right way and be a role model for young players. I am sorry for putting Coach Freeze in this position and will accept whatever consequences are necessary, but my hope is to finish this year’s journey with my brothers.