The brother of Vanderbilt University's starting quarterback found himself in police custody during what should have been a celebratory evening as the Commodores secured a decisive victory over rivals Tennessee Volunteers.
Stadium Altercation Leads to Arrest
Javier Pavia, sibling of Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, was taken into custody on Saturday evening following a heated confrontation with event staff at Neyland Stadium. The incident occurred while his brother was delivering a standout performance, guiding the Commodores to a convincing 45-24 win against their rivals.
The trouble began when stadium officials requested Javier to stop holding up a flag that was obstructing other spectators' views of the field. This simple request quickly escalated into a tense exchange with security personnel and police officers.
Intoxication and Aggressive Behaviour
According to official arrest records obtained by WVLT, Javier appeared to be extremely intoxicated, displaying slurred speech and difficulty maintaining balance. The documentation further described him as being extremely verbally combative towards both the arresting trooper and stadium staff members.
The altercation reached its peak at approximately 6:40pm local time during the fourth quarter of the game, resulting in his arrest on charges of public intoxication. Video footage from the incident shows the quarterback's brother being escorted from the stadium by law enforcement officials.
Previous Incidents and Family History
This marks the second time this season that Pavia family members have faced legal trouble during Vanderbilt games. Back in September, both Javier, aged 25, and his brother Roel, 26, were arrested and charged with resisting arrest and public intoxication during Vanderbilt's season opener.
Javier has a pending court date scheduled for January 12, 2026 regarding those previous charges in Davidson County. Meanwhile, he was released from custody shortly after 4am on Sunday morning following Saturday's incident and is scheduled for arraignment on December 9.
The Pavia family previously gained viral attention in September when comedian Theo Von became involved in an unusual arrangement with the quarterback's mother. Von revealed during an ESPN broadcast that Diego Pavia had promised to set him up on a date with his mother if the Commodores won their game against South Carolina.
Despite the off-field drama, Diego Pavia managed to maintain focus, delivering an impressive performance that secured Vanderbilt's victory while his family member created chaos in the stands.
