Diego Pavia’s Brother Arrested, Yes Again!!!

In the grand theater of college football, where drama unfolds both on and off the field, some stories are just too good to be true. Then there’s the ongoing saga of the Pavia family, which is quickly turning into its own special kind of reality show, with Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia playing the unwilling straight man. While Diego has been busy trying to resurrect the Vanderbilt football program, his family seems committed to testing the limits of SEC stadium security policies.

This Isn’t The First Incident

You just can’t make this stuff up. For the second time this season—yes, you read that right, the second time a Pavia brother has ended up in handcuffs during a Commodores game. This time, the family circus rolled into Knoxville for the big rivalry game against Tennessee. As Diego Pavia was leading his team to a stunning 45-24 victory, his brother, Javier, was apparently having a much different kind of Saturday.

Instead of celebrating a massive win, Javier found himself getting intimately acquainted with the local law enforcement at Neyland Stadium. The charge? Public intoxication. Shocking, I know. It seems cheering for your brother has become a full-contact sport for the Pavia clan.

Another Saturday, Another Pavia Brother Arrest

Let’s set the scene. Vanderbilt is dismantling Tennessee on their home turf, a rare and beautiful sight for any Commodores fan. In the stands, however, Javier was allegedly staging his own one-man protest against… good spectating etiquette? According to the police report, stadium staff repeatedly asked him to lower a large flag that was obstructing other fans’ views. You know, the common courtesy thing to do.

When officers intervened, they noted Javier was swaying, slurring his words, and was “extremely verbally combative.” While Diego Pavia was carving up the Vols’ defense, his brother was getting booked into the Knox County Jail. He was released on his own recognizance the next day, presumably with a world-class hangover and another court date to add to the family calendar.

A Disturbing Pattern for the Pavia Family

If this were an isolated incident, we could chalk it up to a little too much pre-game “excitement.” A classic case of letting the rivalry get the best of you. But this is the Pavia family we’re talking about. This isn’t their first rodeo; it’s not even their first arrest this season.

Back in August, during Vanderbilt’s home opener against Charleston Southern, both Javier and another brother, Roel, were arrested. The charges were similar: public intoxication and resisting arrest after they were reportedly harassing fans and throwing food. It seems supporting Diego Pavia is a messy, and apparently criminal, affair. That case is still open, by the way, with a hearing scheduled for January. The brothers are collecting court dates like they’re trading cards.

This whole situation puts Diego Pavia in an incredibly awkward spot. Here’s a guy who transferred from New Mexico State, bringing a spark and a swagger that Vanderbilt football hasn’t seen in years. He’s playing his heart out, leading the team to unexpected victories and trying to build something positive. Meanwhile, his brothers are turning the family section into a personal episode of “Cops.” You have to feel for the guy.

Final Thoughts

One has to wonder what the family Thanksgiving is like. It’s a level of dysfunction that even the most seasoned SEC commentator would find bewildering. For now, neither Diego Pavia nor his brother have commented on the latest incident, but its clear his brother needs help. Hopefully, he can get help, because it’s clear he is going down a dark path.