Oregon Receiver Messiah Hampton Arrested on Eluding Charges

Springfield police identified Hampton as the driver of one of two vehicles that fled during a high-speed pursuit late on October 18, hours after Oregon beat Nebraska. Police have not identified the driver of the second vehicle. Hampton entered Lane County Jail on October 30 and was released later that day.

The charges against Hampton include two felony counts for trying to evade police and a misdemeanor count for reckless driving. Police said one vehicle was later found abandoned near the location where Oregon receiver Evan Stewart was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Stewart is not viewed as a person of interest in the pursuit.

Hampton was listed as out on Oregon’s availability report for its October 31 home game against No. 20 Northwestern. He had also missed the Ducks’ previous game against Illinois. This season, he has made 18 catches for 161 yards and two touchdowns.

Oregon coach Dan Lanning said after Stewart’s arrest that an off-field incident did not meet the program’s standards and that appropriate action would be taken. He did not elaborate on the matter. Oregon was scheduled to host Northwestern at Autzen Stadium on October 31.