Police arrest Cougar football player Byrd

PULLMAN – Bobby Byrd, the starting left tackle for the Washington State University football team, was arrested in the early morning hours Saturday on a domestic violence assault charge.

Byrd, a third-year sophomore for the Cougars, was seen pushing his girlfriend down a hallway by police, who had responded to a noise complaint, according to Cmdr. Chris Tennant of the Pullman Police Department.

After witnessing the incident looking through a window from outside the house, the police arrested Byrd, Tennant said.

“Domestic violence laws are really strict in Washington and they basically have a mandatory arrest,” Tennant said. “Since the officers witnessed the assault, they pretty much felt that they needed to make an arrest.”

According to the Whitman Country Prosecutor’s Office, no court date has been set. Byrd’s girlfriend, Tara Tribbett, was also arrested on a charge of obstructing a public servant.

As a sophomore last fall, Byrd successfully moved from guard to left tackle and helped anchor an offensive line that allowed just 18 sacks and paved the way for Jerome Harrison’s 1,900-yard season.

Head coach Bill Doba said Thursday evening that he was aware of the arrest but did not yet have enough details to come to any conclusions.

“We want to see the (police) report, and we’ll do our investigation and we’ll respond appropriately,” Doba said.

Bumpus still in limbo

Wide receiver Michael Bumpus, no longer a WSU student because of academic issues pending an appeal, has yet to receive word from the committee that will rule on his situation.

A decision is expected soon.