Paul Hamm Arrested for Assault

gymnastike on September 7, 2011, 4:14pm | More Posts

Here's a bizarre story. 2004 Olympic Champion and Ohio State assistant coach Paul Hamm was arrested for assault on Saturday night.

"Police arrested Paul Hamm after they said he assaulted a taxi driver and then wrestled with a police officer late Saturday night.

According to police, Hamm took a taxi from the downtown area to his home in Upper Arlington. The report states he fell asleep and when the driver woke him up he said he would not pay the $23.00 cab fare.

According to the report, after an argument, Hamm damaged a window of the cab, punched and kicked the driver.

When the officer asked Hamm how many drinks he had consumed Hamm said he had “probably 8 drinks.”

Hamm is charged with assault and two other misdemeanors. He is free on bond awaiting a September 15th arraignment.

Hamm is coaching at Ohio State while simultaneously training for his comeback to the sport. He plans to be ready to compete at the February 2012 Winter Cup Challenge and make a run at the 2012 Olympics. Let's hope this is a one-time incident.

Click here for the full article on 10tv.com

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Updated on May 22, 2013, 11:17am

34 comments

Patrick 2 years ago

yeah he was supposed to have his first hearing last week. I havent seen any updates though. Last I heard he was fired from OSU. Also have yet to hear him make a public apology, or anything. He is not making himself, or the gymnastics community, look very good!

First Hearing Was Today - Righ 2 years ago

Wasnt his first hearing today in Columbus? How did it go? What happens next? and did he have to appear?

CSaccullo 2 years ago

very sad when someone who many look up to and are inspired by drop the ball, everyone makes mistakes, i hope just hope Paul learns from this one and if indeed was under the influence of alcohol sees that he doesn't need that garbage in his life destroying what he worked so hard to achieve.

Anonymous Coward 2 years ago

This is what happens when gymnasts (male or female) don't have a balanced life between school, friends, family...believe all the hype about themselves..Give me a Jonathon Horton any day..you got to love the sport but not lose focus that it is ..just a sport....

gymnastic fan 2 years ago

Yikes!! That is a BAD drunk. At 29 years old, I would think he's learned better. Seems like the frat boys have been rubbing off on him . . . . .not the behavior I would expect of a former gold medalist who is training for another games.

Different Views 2 years ago

Lindsey we dont seem to communicate very well but nevertheless I think we both love this sport and hope Paul comes through this well. I am not sure what you are saying about getting cruicfied in the real world? If he does get cruicified then I think he will rise to the occasion afterwards. Sometimes getting humiliated helps us to become better people later on. I think things happen for a reason and it is what you do with the opportunity in the long run that defines it as a negative or somehow ends up being a positive thing. I will not debate you any longer as I think we are on two different levels but with all sincerity I wish the best for Paul.

Head in The bed 2 years ago

Quantity of a Dose,
Saying Paul needs a dose a reality could get him crucified outside gymnastics (keep up with current events)? I won't be back.

Dose of Reality 2 years ago

Yep, he needs a dose of reality to the level that most child stars who have been pampered and put on a pedastal by family and fiends need when they are ready to grow up. I think Paul is about 30 huh? I agree that no one cares that he drinks but just like Mel Gibson it is what he said and how he acted as special that was the turn off. His friends and family should tell he he fup and he acted like a baby and needs counseling and sees that he gets it. Enablers and those that utter, Poor little Paul need to go stand in the corner.

Quantity of a dose? 2 years ago

WTH are you talking about. Makes no sense, just another smartass remark I presume. Good for you - you need the last word, huh? If you are talking about a dose of humilty - yep Paul needs a double dose, i think you need just one dose.

Head in The bed 2 years ago

to to P and Lindsey,
What quantity of a dose would you prescribe?

To P and Lindsey 2 years ago

You are right P, Paul still must still have his day in court and find out what he is legalling responsible for and that will be decided by the legal system. Yet, the court of public opinion is pretty clear - he made an ass of himself and many feel he embarassed the gymnastics community. There does not have to be a legal ruling on that, the video is all I needed to see for myself in regards to that. I fully support his firing from OSU, but I wish he had resigned with more dignity. The embarassment this has caused the school is more than enough for his dismissal - he was only there to train and trade coaching assistant for a free MBA. While he probably took his role serioulsy, he was not a vital part of the team. OSU wanted to leverage some positive image for the team and the school by having him there. To Lindsey - I actually was turned off by your snippy comment- OMG who died - No one did, by we are all equal authorities on what offends us and what we think is unacceptable behavior. It may be your opinion that getting sloppy drunk and hitting a cab driver and not paying your fee and then tusseling with the cops and showing what a pampered little boy your are off in public by your comments is all A-OK and that is fine. I actually do not care that he was sloppy drunk or he had a misunderstanding with a cabbie but his comments and tusseling with the cops was where I drew the line. Paul has lawyered up and his defense has said they are going to fight everything vigorously. Great, I hope there is a good compromise and Paul can humble hmiself with some community service. I actually feel for him, and I am hoping he can transition through this properly but Lindsay discounting how this has affected other people in this community is in itself rude and who you made you an authority over my feelings on the subject?? I really hope his old teammates and friends are rallying around him but but but are being very tough and realistic to him. I think he needs a good dose of reality.

P 2 years ago

What happened to innocent until proven guilty? Ohio State should have put him on suspension first ... firing should come AFTER the results of the legal process and he is given the chance to make amends. Furthermore, he is now in a position to do a world of good with this incident for all the gymnasts who think drinking is "fun" and that there are no consequences. What better impact than to hear it from someone who is losing a heck of a lot over one night of drinking?

When is the Apology 2 years ago

Retired Team Member - I hear you loud and clear and I agree that we have all done stupid things. I believe his firing was just and deserved from OSU. If he wants to attempt to make the Olympic team then he should go for it, but in your attempt to negate the haters you have to accpet there are many people who do NOT want him to continue and who have not been a Hamm fan for many years. Why? Possibly nonsense reasons but nevertheless he set his own reputation long before this and there are many more former team members who are looked upon more favorably than Paul. (Possibly even you!) I believe in forgiveness and redemption and I think Paul deserves both, and I believe we should all have Paul in our prayers tonight. I am waiting with anticipation a satement from Paul. If he does handle this with class as you allude then he may yet have that made for TV situation happen for him, but as this video hits the mainstream media and late night talk shows it is only going to get worse. Paul better be ready for it and I advise damage control now. I don't understand what he is waiting for unless his lawyer has advised him to not say anything until after his formal hearing. I hope before he left OSU he did have the class to directly address his gymnasts in person. If you are in touch with him, tell him everyone does not hate him and we Americans love 2nd chances but this is not something that folks are going to laugh about in a month. He better put on his big boy pants and know he has a ton of work to do.

Head in The bed 2 years ago

lindseymccabe@avoideuthanization.com
OMG who died and made everyone an authority?

retired national team member 2 years ago

Paul certainly needs to take 100% responsibility in this situation. It's the only right thing to do. Being removed from the OSU staff to me is a given.However, I hate to see everyone say how bad of a person he is, when that is far from the truth. The reality is...all of us do stupid things that we look back in retrospect and regret. I'm sure this will be one for him. But Paul is a class act outside of this situation. He made a mistake that anyone that drinks enough alcohol could make. I'm not sure that judging him and calling him a narcissist is fair or accurate. Call him unwise for his decision. Say that he set a bad example for young gymnasts around the world. But basically calling him a jerk is not a fair assessment. He made a mistake just like many high profile athletes. The key is....as you all have alluded to...taking this embarrassing situation and turning it into a lesson learned for you and others who may indulge in the same activities. Give an authentic apology and embrace the vulnerability of the consequences. Then take it and become better from it. Yes, he could resign and quit gymnastics all together because that's what you all think he should do. However, I would rather my legacy read, "Paul Hamm-2004 Olympic AA champ....battles back to contend for 08 and falls short due to injury. A year before the 2012 Olympics he mounts another comeback, only to be sidelined by an incident in which he was arrested and fired from Ohio State. Against every odd and all the naysayers, he used this as an opportunity to grow as a person and an athlete. Humbled by his failures...he battled back to make his 3rd olympic team as a revitalized gymnast and even better,,,a better person.

retired national team member 2 years ago

Ohio State Parents 2 years ago

I just want to say that I feel sympathy for all the kids on the OSU gym team and their parents. Many had to go through the messy situation with Miles and then the temp arrangement with Doug and Blaine - which evidently did not work out and were hoping to get back on track with Rustam and Paul etc.. Now this! You have been very quiet and discreet but I would be very hurt. Someone on another board suggested that Paul is going through a tough time in his personal life etc... which is unfortunate and he needs to seek help and get support. This situaiton has brought out alot of the haters and rumor millers. Either way, Paul needs to buck up (like a good buckeye) and face the charges and accept it like a man. I was quite disturbed when I listened to the video - sometimes when you are drunk you lose your public filter and Paul allowed us all to see there are some underlying issues there and his grasp on reality. I am not mad at home for getting sloppy drunk or going to a bar in the arena district and commend him on taking a taxi home! It is how he handled himself (still intoxicated) with the cops that were present and the things he said. Paul needs our love and support, but only he can turn this around. There will probably be much more to come out about this night in the future and it will probably also be very embarassing...but once again, it is what it is. Paul needs to seek the help of folks outside of his inner circle because his inner circle may not be the best advice givers. First thing on his agenda - Press Conference - Twitter Apology - Something - Anything from him in regards to this. The longer he is silent, in my opionin, the less remorseful or detacted to reality.

Great Opportunity 2 years ago

This is a great opportunity for Paul to show us the man he really is...or plans to be from this moment on. The real judgement will come as to how he handles this. If he comes out and publicly apologizes to the taxi driver, the city of Columbus Police and takes full responsibility and enrolls in some kind of counseling and offers to resign from OSU and has a meeting with his college boys and apologizes to them etc.... then he would have learned his lesson in humility (which is a game changer for everyone). If he resorts to hiding and blaming and makine excuses and plays the victim in anyway - it will certainly be over for him forever. It is his decision but it must come from the heart and be genuine. If he thinks he did not screw up and showed what an ASS he really is - then it will only come across like tiger woods. I hope his good friends give him some tough love and I would be the first in line to suggest some spiritual guidance. Paul - there is someone more important than yourself - he is just prayer away.

ex gymnast too 2 years ago

Paul Hamm (and his brother) are some of the worst people I have ever dealt with. Their father is a self righteous
ass who has enabled them for too long. Hopefully this will be a wake up call that they are no better than anyone else.

Ohio State Fan 2 years ago

What is the deal with Ohio State? I know they have a great new Head Coach Sharipov and this is the last thing he needs for himself or the boys on the team to deal with. Paul needs to resign and take care of himself. I am sure the team and the boys are concerned about him but it also brings negative light to their building program. I feel Paul handled the 2008 Olympics in a shady way, I do not think he was ever, ever going to compete but just strung it out for his best interest. Sometimes Karma Gets You Back, when you least expect it.

I Agree with Last two posters 2 years ago

Do you think USAG will make an official announcement? They should NOT ignore this!

NOT a Hamm fan! 2 years ago

Paul Hamm is NOT a role model for anyone! He continues to be a bully and thinks his actions will not have consequences. I hope and pray Ohio State fires him...if not, what message does his behavior ( actually his character) send to our young men and women. There are many more qualified individuals who are honorable, ethical, and approachable. Paul has been in his own little world for years - time to face reality!

Not A Fan 2 years ago

Anyone that knows me I am NOT a fan of Paul Hamm's and I even made light of his appearance at the VISA Championships because he did not but narcissitically (spelled wrong) talk about himself and how he is going to help the USA etc... I even said I thought John Roth was kinda of laughing at him and could not take him seriously. Well - what is he going to do about his next comeback now? Please USAG stay away from him - let this pass and move on...publicity stunt - possibly - but probably not. He has NEVER been a friendly guy to those outside his circle and has always had a chip on his shoulder but USAG continues to kiss hs but. He is NOT a role model for our little boys, there are so many other guys to choose from. I will still pray for him and the sport to recover but Paul - officially retire and work on the more important things in your life.

Daniel Nelson 2 years ago

You can see the video of his arrest here:
http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2011/09/08/video-former-olympian-paul-hamm-arrested-for-alleged-assault/

Anonymous Coward 2 years ago

You can see the video of his arrest here. We all have out weak moments. Sucks it was caught on tape. Hopefully he puts this behind him and gets back to buisness.