Northwestern Suspends Football Player After Cocaine Arrest

EVANSTON, IL — A Northwestern University football player has been suspended from the team as a result of a cocaine arrest over the weekend.

Xavier Washington, 20, was a starting defensive end for the Wildcats heading into his senior year. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance Sunday morning, Evanston police said.

Police said they were called to a residence in the 1900 block of Foster Street around 3:30 a.m. for a report of a disturbance. When they arrived, officers were told one of the people involved in the disturbance had left.

That turned out to be Washington, police said. Police caught up to him near the intersection of Simpson Street and Brown Avenue and found him to have half a gram of cocaine. He was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, and no other charges were filed regarding the initial call.

Washington, a third year student majoring in communications, has been suspended indefinitely from the football team and the university continues to investigate the matter, according to a Northwestern spokesman.

In 2016, the Cedar Hills, Texas native made eight starts and appeared in all 13 games for the Wildcats. He appeared in 24 games over the prior two seasons and was considered a likely starter heading into the 2017 season.

Top photo | Xavier Washington | Evanston Police Department