Contra Costa Times: Cal quarterback Levy arrested after bar fight

By Jay Heater

CONTRA COSTA TIMES

The fairy tale career of Cal quarterback Steve Levy took an unexpected turn early Sunday morning in San Francisco. Levy, who will be a senior next season, was arrested after a fight at a bar on the corner of Montgomery and Jackson streets. According to San Francisco Police Department spokesman Dewayne Tully, Levy was booked for felony assault. Tully said SFPD won't release more information on the arrest until today.

Considered an overachiever with tremendous heart and limited physical skills, Levy led Cal to a 27-3 victory over Stanford in the 2005 Big Game followed by a 35-28 victory over BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl. A career backup who had been converted from quarterback to fullback and then back again, Levy had not attempted a pass in his career going into the 2005 season. However, when starter Joe Ayoob struggled toward the end of the 2005 season, Levy was inserted into the lineup and became an instant hit with the fans as he led Cal to two huge victories.

Cal football coach Jeff Tedford, who is on vacation, suspended Levy on Monday. The Cal sports information department issued the following statement from Tedford, "We are aware of the situation with Steve. He will not participate in any team functions until we feel we have all of the information." Cal athletic director Sandy Barbour also issued a statement. "We've taken initial action. We are now gathering information and will take appropriate action when we believe we have the complete facts." Depending on the outcome of the case, Levy might have compromised his shot at starting for the Bears in 2006. He battled on even terms in the spring against Nathan Longshore and Joe Ayoob so any missed practice time once summer camp begins the first week of August could put him far behind those two. Levy was 32-of-52 for 439 yards and four touchdowns in 2005. He was intercepted twice.

Tedford recruited Levy, out of his hometown of Cornwall, N.Y., and Don Bosco High School of New Jersey. He arrived at Cal in 2002 and redshirted his first season. He did not play in any games in 2003 and spent the 2004 season working as a fullback. His perseverance paid off in 2005 when Longshore, the starter in the season opener, broke his leg in Cal's first game, followed by Ayoob's struggles.