Arkansas State Police look into traffic stop of college RB Michael Dyer

A state trooper who found marijuana and a gun in a car driven by Arkansas State running back Michael Dyer offered to call his coach even though he worried about “NCAA crap” and other fallout, according to video of a traffic stop released Monday.

Arkansas State Police released the 58-minute video and said it had completed an internal investigation into the March 10 stop. It released no details about the investigation, saying it involved personnel matters almost certainly tied to the actions of Trooper Royce Denney.

Dyer was ticketed for going 96 mph in a 70 mph zone, though audio and video from the stop indicate that either Dyer or another unidentified female were in possession of marijuana and a gun. Denney can be heard on the video talking at length with Dyer about how he should handle the incident.

“What if I talk to (coach) Gus Malzahn, or however you say his name?” Denney asks. “I really don’t want to tell him about this because of the NCAA crap.”

Denney also berates Dyer for having a gun, saying, “If you think it makes you look cool, you’re stupid.” He adds, “It pisses me off that someone of your stature and your ability does this kind of stupid (expletive).”

The trooper also asked Dyer if the running back wanted him to hold on to the gun, and Dyer says yes.

“I didn’t say keep it,” Denney responds. “Maybe we can get together some other time, and you can have it back after me and Coach talk.”

It was unclear whether the trooper contacted Malzahn or Arkansas State about the traffic stop.