The brother of Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia was arrested Saturday night at Neyland Stadium during the Commodores’ rivalry win over Tennessee, marking his second game-day arrest of the season.
Javier Pavia, 25, was charged with public intoxication after law enforcement officers said he became belligerent with event staff and refused to stop waving a large flag that obstructed the view of other spectators.
According to a Tennessee Highway Patrol arrest report, stadium staff issued multiple warnings to Pavia before police intervened. The report states Pavia appeared “extremely intoxicated,” was unsteady on his feet, and became “verbally combative” with officers and staff.
He was booked into the Knox County Jail and released on his own recognizance early Sunday morning.
This is the second time this season Javier Pavia has been taken into custody during a Vanderbilt football game. In August, he and another brother, Roel Pavia, 26, were arrested during the Commodores’ season-opening win over Charleston Southern in Nashville.
In the August incident, Javier Pavia was charged with public intoxication and resisting arrest after allegedly throwing food and harassing other fans. Roel Pavia faced similar charges, in addition to a felony charge of assaulting a law enforcement officer, after police said he shoved an officer while intervening in his brother’s arrest.
Diego Pavia’s brother Javier Pavia ARRESTED pic.twitter.com/Bq9Oabl0dm
— Old Row Sports (@OldRowSports) November 30, 2025
Saturday’s incident occurred as Diego Pavia led No. 12 Vanderbilt to a 45-24 victory over No. 18 Tennessee, securing the program’s first 10-win season since 1904. The quarterback threw for 268 yards and rushed for 165 yards in the contest.
Neither Diego Pavia nor Vanderbilt athletics officials have commented publicly on the arrest.
Javier Pavia is scheduled for a bond arraignment on Dec. 9. Both brothers are also set to appear in court in January regarding the charges from the August incident.
