Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Oct 17, 2026; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Messiah Hampton (15) celebrates a touchdown during the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Autzen Stadium.
Freshman Oregon Ducks wide receiver Messiah Hampton was arrested on Friday on charges of reckless driving and eluding police stemming from an incident on Oct. 18.
A similar, or perhaps the same, incident led to the arrest of Ducks star wideout Evan Stewart on charges of driving while under the influence. Rumors quickly spread that several Oregon players, including Hampton, were street racing at the time.
A doorbell camera caught an officer following a vehicle at high speed that looked eerily similar to a vehicle that Hampton had previously posted on social media. But Hampton had not been arrested at the time and insisted he had done nothing wrong.
https://t.co/U19tDdZiOS
— Messiah Hampton (@messiah_O8) October 19, 2026
Oregon WR Messiah Hampton Claimed Rumors About Him Were Untrue
“Crazy how far a random rumor and lie can go,” Hampton said on social media one day after the initial incident. “We dont trip tho, we been through adversity are (sp) whole life, we take the good with bad, the pretty with the ugly, and most importantly we know god will never leave you nor foresake you. Keep the faith youngin, God got you.”
Hampton was then held out of Oregon’s 21-10 loss at Illinois, although he was not listed with a specific injury designation.
Perhaps he felt that since he had not been arrested on the same night as Stewart, he was in the clear.
“Mr. Hampton has been identified as the driver of one of the vehicles,” Springfield Police deputy chief George Crolly said regarding a pair of vehicles involved in the high-speed chase on Friday evening. “We are still working to identify the driver of the other vehicle.”
Oregon started the season with national title aspirations. But the Ducks are now 4-3 with a game against Ohio State yet to come. Meanwhile, it appears things are falling apart off the field as well for Dan Lanning and company.