More SEC arrests

[Legacy]

Tennessee settlement has steps to enhance Title IX policies

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee's $2.48 million settlement of a Title IX lawsuit regarding its handling of assault complaints against athletes includes steps on how the school must improve the way it addresses incidents involving sexual misconduct.

A copy of the settlement filed Wednesday in federal court and obtained through a public records request said the school will change its rules regarding student disciplinary hearings and will appoint an independent commission made up of individuals with expertise on establishing or maintaining federal law compliance programs.

The primary change in the hearing process would be that "students will not be appointed to serve on student disciplinary hearing boards in cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct" unless both sides agree.

The independent commission would recommend changes in the school's policies and programs related to preventing, investigating and resolving incidents of sexual misconduct.

The settlement also calls for Tennessee to use "its best efforts to enforce mandatory sexual assault training" for school employees reasonably likely to be among the first to learn about potential incidents.

Under the agreement, Tennessee also is no longer providing a written list of potential lawyers to athletes. Tennessee already had discontinued that policy before the settlement. The school may refer athletes to a local bar association instead.

Tennessee is paying $2.48 million to settle a lawsuit filed in Nashville by eight unidentified women who said the school had violated Title IX regulations and fostered a "hostile sexual environment" through a policy of indifference toward assaults by athletes. Lawyers for both the plaintiffs and the school issued a joint press release announcing the settlement Tuesday.

School officials discussed some of the steps being taken to help prevent sexual assaults and raise awareness of the issue Wednesday at a news conference featuring school Title IX coordinator Jenny Richter as well as Ashley Blamey, who directs the university's Center for Health Education and Wellness.

Seven employees are being added to the two offices that deal with sexual assault investigations and support for victims of sexual misconduct and stalking.

The new staff positions include two wellness coordinators who will work with athletes on sexual assault awareness as well as other issues such as drug and alcohol awareness and stress management.

"They will be working hard to find the best way to discover how to educate the group, how to work with them on a regular basis and really dedicate some resources to that area," Richter said.

The school is adding a senior deputy Title IX coordinator, two investigators of sexual misconduct plus an education and outreach coordinator and a sexual violence prevention coordinator for the school's Center for Health Education and Wellness to go along with the two new employees who will be working with athletes.

The chancellor's office is committing $700,000 to fund six of those positions and provide for training and other operational requirements. The Center for Health Education and Wellness' sexual violence prevention coordinator position is being funded for three years as part of a $300,000 federal grant.

And in a change in the school's process, allegations of sexual assault or misconduct will be investigated by the university's Office of Equity and Diversity. Investigations or student complaints in this regard previously had been conducted through the Office of Student Conduct.

"I continue to say that one incident of sexual misconduct is one too many," UT President Joe DiPietro said Tuesday in a release announcing the settlement.

"But unfortunately, on a college campus, these incidents will happen. When they do, I want the confidence of knowing that we did everything within our power to appropriately deal with the situation, and we provided the necessary support for all involved. There are no excuses for anything less."

Tennessee's athletic department and the school's central administration are splitting the cost of the settlement. According to the settlement announcement, no taxpayer dollars, student fees or donor funds would be used to fund the settlement, and the funding instead will come "from other income-generating activities within the university."

 

[NDdomer2]

from espn via SEC media day:

Gus Malzahn says the four Auburn players arrested in May (Carlton Davis, Byron Cowart, Jeremiah Dinson and Ryan Davis) won't miss any time this season, meaning all four will be available when the Tigers open against Clemson.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Interesting thing is that ole Gus suspended Nick Marshall for the 1st half of their opener against Arky in 2014 because he got arrested for pot possession, same as the four players named above. Of course, they were coming off the miraculous 2013 year and were pre-season top 10. Now he is trying to save his job.....

 

[IrishLax]

2. Then there is an alleged random second anonymous girl that no one has even been able to confirm the existence of who Melinda Henneberger (an incredibly biased hack who hates all men and assumes guilt of all the accused because she herself was raped in Texas and didn't file charges because no one would believe her... she was also FIRED from her previous job for playing fast and loose with facts) or the Seeberg's may have very well invented out of thin air. We might as well call this girl Lennay Kekua because there is not one single first hand account of this person even existing outside of second hand 'reports.' Henneberger says this alleged girl was allegedly raped and then allegedly didn't press charges because she was afraid to. Wake me up when there is one shred of fact associated with that story... if I allege Sasquatch raped my dog and put it on the internet it doesn't make it true. What do you possibly want anyone (the police, Notre Dame, etc.) to do about an incident that for all intents and purposes might as well not exist because there isn't even a complainant?

I hope I've educated you. Please don't come in here with any more half-baked BS. It's tiresome to read elsewhere on the internet, and I certainly don't see a need to tolerate it on our board.

So, blast from the past but Melinda Hennenberger was fired from another job: Melinda Henneberger out as Roll Call editor - POLITICO

I don't want to say "karma" but it always bothered me how much she warped facts and leveraged narratives to further herself vis a vis these cases.

 

[dublinirish]

Florida Gators' Top Receiver Cleared In Sexual Assault Case Adjudicated By Booster

 

[Bishop2b5]

Florida Gators' Top Receiver Cleared In Sexual Assault Case AdjudicatedÂ*By Booster

The alleged victim refused to appear at the hearing after a booster was appointed to hear the case. Probably not much choice but to clear him when the accuser refused to testify. We'll probably never know who was telling the truth, now.

 

[Legacy]

Florida Gators' Top Receiver Cleared In Sexual Assault Case AdjudicatedÂ*By Booster

So, Callaway's defense at his Title IX hearing for violation of Florida's Student Conduct Code was that he was "high on marijuana" during the encounter, and was “so stoned I had no interest in having sex with anyone.”

The Florida booster who decided the case described Callaway was "honest, sincere, and presented himself well." As long as you are sincere about your m.j. use at UF...
While Callaway (and Harris) were not allowed on campus, they took on-line courses.

Track your Title IX Investigations.

 

[Bishop2b5]

So, Callaway's defense at his Title IX hearing for violation of Florida's Student Conduct Code was that he was "high on marijuana" during the encounter, and was “so stoned I had no interest in having sex with anyone.”

Best argument I've ever heard for not legalizing it.

 

[Legacy]

Vanderbilt Football Player Arrested in Sex Trafficking Sting:
A month after Vanderbilt University football players were convicted of rape, another former player was arrested in a sex trafficking sting. August 7, 2016

Twenty-year-old Rashad Canty, a former wide receiver for the Vanderbilt University football team, was one of 41 people arrested in a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation sting on human trafficking. Posing as underage girls, TBI agents posted advertisements on sex work sites like Backpage.com. Nearly 485 men allegedly responded to the ads, resulting in 41 arrests, including that of the former Vanderbilt football player.

Football and sexual misconduct are pervasive on Vanderbilt’s campus, students report. The former is the pride of the school, a Division I team splashed across prospective student materials. The latter is a shameful secret too many students know about. A 2016 student survey distributed by Vanderbilt University found that nearly one in 10 students had experienced unwanted sexual contact the previous year. The figures are far greater than Vanderbilt’s official numbers on sexual misconduct, which reflect 23 reported sexual assaults in 2014.

Per another site:

Ultimately, only one person was charged with "solicitation of a minor," and none were charged with sex trafficking. Most of the men were booked for "patronizing prostitution," a class B misdemeanor in Tennessee defined as "soliciting or hiring another person to engage in sexual activity or going to a brothel or house of prostitution for sexual activity." In addition to the 34 adult men arrested, one juvenile was also cited patronizing prostitution.

 

[Legacy]

Charged with DUI and leaving the scene of an accident...

Alabama offensive lineman Alphonse Taylor found not guilty of DUI

Saban has not decided if he will be suspended for any games.

Surprisingly, LSU has not had any of their (current) players arrested for over one year.

 

[PANDFAN]

Oregon LB Eddie Heard arrested after allegedly punching woman in the face at a bar

For the first time since the calendar flipped from October to November, it’s time to set the “Days Without An Arrest” ticker back to double zeroes.

The latest to trigger a resetting is Eddie Heard, the Oregon linebacker who The Oregonian reported was arrested Wednesday evening on misdemeanor charges of fourth-degree assault and harassment. The details of what led to the redshirt junior’s arrest are quite disturbing.

From the Eugene Register-Guard:

Heard was at Taylor’s Bar and Grill on East 13th Avenue between 1 and 2 a.m. Sunday morning, when he allegedly began touching a woman repeatedly, despite her “loud vocal protests,” police said.

There was eventually an altercation and Heard allegedly slapped the woman. She pushed him and then left the bar, police said.

But Heard is accused of following her, approaching her outside and punching her in the face. Police said multiple people witnessed the attack.

Heard has since been indefinitely suspended by the football program.

A former junior college transfer, Heard has played in all eight games this season as a backup. Last season, Heard played in 11 games.

 

[Legacy]

Oregon LB Eddie Heard arrested after allegedly punching woman in the face at a bar

For the first time since the calendar flipped from October to November, it’s time to set the “Days Without An Arrest” ticker back to double zeroes.

The latest to trigger a resetting is Eddie Heard, the Oregon linebacker who The Oregonian reported was arrested Wednesday evening on misdemeanor charges of fourth-degree assault and harassment. The details of what led to the redshirt junior’s arrest are quite disturbing.

From the Eugene Register-Guard:

Heard was at Taylor’s Bar and Grill on East 13th Avenue between 1 and 2 a.m. Sunday morning, when he allegedly began touching a woman repeatedly, despite her “loud vocal protests,” police said.

There was eventually an altercation and Heard allegedly slapped the woman. She pushed him and then left the bar, police said.

But Heard is accused of following her, approaching her outside and punching her in the face. Police said multiple people witnessed the attack.

Heard has since been indefinitely suspended by the football program.

A former junior college transfer, Heard has played in all eight games this season as a backup. Last season, Heard played in 11 games.

A marijuana possession is a felony in many states. Punching a woman is a misdemeanor? Witnessed by many? Not just an angry girlfriend in their apartment.

 

[Legacy]

Non-SEC arrests

Non-SEC arrests

UConn Football Players Suspended After Weapons Arrests (and "drugcharges)

Two UConn football players arrested Wednesday night on weapons charges for allegedly having loaded BB guns in their car have been suspended from the team....

Police identified the driver as Williams and one of the two passengers as Blackwell. Officers smelled marijuana and asked if they could search the car, the report said.

Williams said yes, and officers found about 4 grams, or .14 ounces, of marijuana, an open container of vodka and a loaded BB gun, the report said. The gun was within Williams' reach, it said.

Blackwell also had a loaded BB gun, they said. Both guns lacked orange tips or markings and looked like actual firearms, police said.

Williams was charged with first-degree possession, weapons in a motor vehicle and possession of alcohol by a minor.
Blackwell was charged with weapons in a motor vehicle.

 

[PANDFAN]

Once again, Speedy Noil simply can’t get out of his own way.

According to a tweet from Brent Zwerneman of the Houston Chronicle, “Noil turned himself in to College Station police today on marijuana possession charge” of less than two ounces. Zwerneman added that “[a] warrant had been issued for his arrest” and that the Texas A&M wide receiver has already been released after posting a $2,000 bond.

A&M WR Speedy Noil popped for pot possession | CollegeFootballTalk

 

[Bishop2b5]

Bama safety Hootie Jones was arrested last summer, as reported in this thread. An article that came out this morning sheds more light on what he's been going through for the past year or so. Doesn't excuse what he did, but certainly explains some things about his life and his character, and perhaps why Saban didn't boot him from the team.

Alabama player having breakthrough year while privately coping with mom's cancer battle | AL.com

 

[BGIF]

Bama safety Hootie Jones was arrested last summer, as reported in this thread. An article that came out this morning sheds more light on what he's been going through for the past year or so. Doesn't excuse what he did, but certainly explains some things about his life and his character, and perhaps why Saban didn't boot him from the team.

Alabama player having breakthrough year while privately coping with mom's cancer battle | AL.com

Sorry his mom has cancer. It's a difficult situation but not one than most people deal with by sitting in a car full of buddies at 2:30 in the morning with a gun in the driver's lap in plain view and another hidden under the passenger's seat and mj in the car. Must have been a group therapy session, right?

Almost 40% of people will develop cancer in their lifetime. The rest of us get heart disease, diabetes, lupus, Alzheimer's over some other way to die. In 2013 there were an estimated 14 million people with cancer in the US with another 1.5 million new cases a year. Gun sales must be soaring if obtaining a gun even without a permit or obtaining a stolen gun is a means for family members to cope.

It's a nice feel good article typical of Super Bowl/ National Championship Game fodder.

No mention of how SEC athletes walked away free from a sympathetic DA. \

Reminds me of all those years that AL state troopers fixed speeding tickets for Tide players. Or the Legendary Snake, Kenny Stabler getting a pass on DUI's in what, 3 states in the Gulf Region because he was too well known. Rumor had it that Kenny had more DUIs than than the Tide claims National Championship but many were dismissed as they had trouble getting judges and DAs to sit before him because they recused themselves for knowing him. Funny how they don't recuse themselves with other repeat offenders in their jurisdiction.

SEC membership does have benefits.

Hope mom makes a full recovery.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Sorry his mom has cancer. It's a difficult situation but not one than most people deal with by sitting in a car full of buddies at 2:30 in the morning with a gun in the driver's lap in plain view and another hidden under the passenger's seat and mj in the car. Must have been a group therapy session, right?

Almost 40% of people will develop cancer in their lifetime. The rest of us get heart disease, diabetes, lupus, Alzheimer's over some other way to die. In 2013 there were an estimated 14 million people with cancer in the US with another 1.5 million new cases a year. Gun sales must be soaring if obtaining a gun even without a permit or obtaining a stolen gun is a means for family members to cope.

It's a nice feel good article typical of Super Bowl/ National Championship Game fodder.

No mention of how SEC athletes walked away free from a sympathetic DA. \

Reminds me of all those years that AL state troopers fixed speeding tickets for Tide players. Or the Legendary Snake, Kenny Stabler getting a pass on DUI's in what, 3 states in the Gulf Region because he was too well known. Rumor had it that Kenny had more DUIs than than the Tide claims National Championship but many were dismissed as they had trouble getting judges and DAs to sit before him because they recused themselves for knowing him. Funny how they don't recuse themselves with other repeat offenders in their jurisdiction.

SEC membership does have benefits.

Hope mom makes a full recovery.

And yet... if this were an Irish player, you would be on here trying to track down the officer who arrested the two Irish players, handcuffed them, took pictures, and told them they would never play again while letting everyone else go.

You're above that nonsense BGIF.

 

[Bishop2b5]

BGIF, nothing in the article or my posting of it was to justify Jones' stupid behavior this past summer. TTT and I were both rather harsh on him at the time it happened, hoping Saban would dismiss him and Robinson from the team. The article just shows that he's going through a very difficult time and his working at nights to help with his family's expenses indicates he's probably not just a thug kid. Not sure why that called for the "group therapy session" comments or bringing DUI's and Stabler into it. He's a kid who made a dumb mistake and is going through a difficult family situation, and is showing some character in helping his family out. Can't we just leave it at that?

 

[BGIF]

And yet... if this were an Irish player, you would be on here trying to track down the officer who arrested the two Irish players, handcuffed them, took pictures, and told them they would never play again while letting everyone else go.

You're above that nonsense BGIF.

I've been on IE for over 10 years. Find a single post where I've done what you smeared me with.

To the contrary I'm usually the one noting to wait for the investigation and the charges. I'm consistent with that point of view in the political threads on arrests outside the athletic scene.

I've taken heat for no preferential (extra benefits) for athletes. I disdain any school that refers student misconduct to a head coach rather than a dean, provost, or Student Conduct Board. I've taken heat on this board for DUIs whether star WR or two sport TE.

This past summer a group of ND student/athletes were arrested for ... omg, mj and a hand gun under the seat. TTT feel free to repost where I stated they were innocent, framed, or whatever to misdirect from their illegal action. Unlike the situation here, the cops arrested everybody. The owner of the mj and gun fessed up. The University NOT a head coach dealt with the situation.

Possessing an illegal gun and another stolen gun are not Team Rules Violations.

The fixed speeding tickets, free tires, free clothing, Stablers DUI passes, etc are all part of the pattern of Extra Benefits. If the gun possessor had been an engineering student at UA they would have been arrested, convicted, sentenced. But hey, this is the SEC.

And don't BS me, I've lived here for 3 decades and have inside stories from some very heavy hitters in T'Town.

 

[T Town Tommy]

I've been on IE for over 10 years. Find a single post where I've done what you smeared me with.

To the contrary I'm usually the one noting to wait for the investigation and the charges. I'm consistent with that point of view in the political threads on arrests outside the athletic scene.

I've taken heat for no preferential (extra benefits) for athletes. I disdain any school that refers student misconduct to a head coach rather than a dean, provost, or Student Conduct Board. I've taken heat on this board for DUIs whether star WR or two sport TE.

This past summer a group of ND student/athletes were arrested for ... omg, mj and a hand gun under the seat. TTT feel free to repost where I stated they were innocent, framed, or whatever to misdirect from their illegal action. Unlike the situation here, the cops arrested everybody. The owner of the mj and gun fessed up. The University NOT a head coach dealt with the situation.

Possessing an illegal gun and another stolen gun are not Team Rules Violations.

The fixed speeding tickets, free tires, free clothing, Stablers DUI passes, etc are all part of the pattern of Extra Benefits. If the gun possessor had been an engineering student at UA they would have been arrested, convicted, sentenced. But hey, this is the SEC.

And don't BS me, I've lived here for 3 decades and have inside stories from some very heavy hitters in T'Town.

In all fairness, you are as you say for the most part. And as Bishop also stated, both he and I feel that playing football in college at any school is a privilege and not a right. While we have advocated kicking players off our team in the past... I will admit that at least I am starting to soften up on that zero sum game somewhat. There is a side of me that still feels that young people can become productive members of society if given the chance, guidance, etc. realizing that there are some lines that one simply can't cross. And I would hope you feel the same.

So... you are close enough to T Town - and apparently have inside connections - so what is your take of the current climate of the T Town Police and the UA police when it comes to student athletes at the university?

 

[Legacy]

Bama safety Hootie Jones was arrested last summer, as reported in this thread. An article that came out this morning sheds more light on what he's been going through for the past year or so. Doesn't excuse what he did, but certainly explains some things about his life and his character, and perhaps why Saban didn't boot him from the team.

Alabama player having breakthrough year while privately coping with mom's cancer battle | AL.com

Great article, B2b5. Says a lot about the Hootie, his Mom - and M. Smith. How difficult it must be for anyone to deal with their Mom's cancer progression without support while playing football, studying and keeping up on his nutrtion. Washing cars and extra jobs to send some money home, too. Also explains the situation why the DA dropped charges.

 

[Legacy]

UPDATE: Details of Georgia receiver Riley Ridley’s misdemeanor arrest (Dawg Naion)

Ridley explained they (female driver with him) bought the m.j. in Florida near Ft Lauderdale, they smoked it and went to Six Flags over Georgia, initially stated the "multiple small bags" on the passenger side were the female's which he later recanted, and made “several comments implying that the results of the traffic stop were going to hurt his career as an athlete.”

“Ridley explained that he was an athlete and he requested to call someone to help the traffic stop ‘go a whole lot smoother,’” the officer wrote.

Per UGA’s student-athlete handbook, a marijuana arrest calls for a suspension of 10 percent of a player’s season, and in football’s case that would be one game. There could be extenuating circumstances that apply, but the head coach does not have the discretion to simply overrule it.

 

[Legacy]

UF star Antonio Callaway, Jordan Scarlett among nine Gators facing felony fraud allegations (Orlando Sentinel)

Star receiver Antonio Callaway and 2016 leading rusher Jordan Scarlett are among nine players facing 62 felony complaints filed in Alachua County court Monday. Callaway, Scarlett and seven other Gators are accused of transferring money from stolen credit cards into their UF bookstore accounts to purchase items.

The UF police incident reports outlined an investigation that found players used credit card information from at 15 people from seven different states, including Florida, Michigan, Oklahoma and California.

The UF incident reports included the following details:

• All but two players, including Callaway, used just one stolen card. Telfort and Smith used multiple cards, racking up more than $5,000 in charges in Smith’s case

• Smith used three separate cards to put $3,570 into his bookstore account; he used a fourth card to pay off $1,450 to UF Parking and Transportation. During a three-day period in late July, Smith was denied several transfers, ranging from $1,000 to $2,500. The 18-year-old Georgia native faces up to five felony complaints.

• Telfort added a total of $1,450 to his UF Bookstore account during three occasions. He purchased three iPads, among other items. He also made a dozen orders from a local food-delivery service. One purchase was for Chester's Hot Fries, Funyuns, Gatorade, Sour Patch Kids and a bag of Gummi Worms.

The 18-year-old from Miami faces 30 felony complaints.

• In Scarlett’s case, he transferred money into the account of his girlfriend, telling her it came from a sports agent in New York.

• David Looney, UF bookstore associate director, flagged several student accounts adding an excess of $1,500. Looney told authorities students add on average $300 per semester.

Looney told UF police when Michael Chambers, an electronic technician at the bookstore, recognized the names of the athletes, the University Athletic Association was notified. Looney said at the time he was not aware that the credit cards were stolen and the students were committing fraud.

Documents: Sworn complaints detail allegations of Florida players’ fraud; Read the allegations against nine Gators. (Alligator Army)

 

[NDdomer2]

Lol at One purchase was for Chester's Hot Fries, Funyuns, Gatorade, Sour Patch Kids and a bag of Gummi Worms.

 

[dublinirish]

$1,450 to UF Parking and Transportation lol, that's all parking tickets yeah?

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

UT’s John Kelly, Will Ignont cited after marijuana found during traffic stop | WATE 6 On Your Side

When it rains, it pours.

Kelly and Butch entered this season in similar situations, they've since gone two different directions.

 

[T Town Tommy]

UT’s John Kelly, Will Ignont cited after marijuana found during traffic stop | WATE 6 On Your Side

When it rains, it pours.

Kelly and Butch entered this season in similar situations, they've since gone two different directions.

I would be smoking too if I had to play for Butch.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

I would be smoking too if I had to play for Butch.

Having to play for Butch is definitely enough punishment.

 

[Legacy]

Two more Georgia players - LBs Robert Beal and Brenton Cox - have been arrested charged with MJ possession. Ga players arrested this offseason now total six. The other four -
- A week ago Georgia receiver Tyler Simmons and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson were charged with disorderly conduct after allegedly fighting with bar employees at the Cloud Bar.
- LB Jaden Hunter was arrested March 20 on charges of driving with a suspended or revoked license
- S Latavious Brini was charged with misdemeanor simple battery in February.

Hilarious coincidence headlines details of Georgia players' marijuana arrest

On Tuesday afternoon, Georgia linebackers Robert Beal and Brenton Cox were arrested for possessing less than ounce of marijuana. At the time, Athens-Clarke County online records showed that they were arrested at 3:13 p.m. and that each had posted bail roughly an hour later. Now, more details have emerged only one hilarious coincidence.

The marijuana was reportedly found when a maintenance worker and RA entered the pair’s dorm in response to a call about a clogged toilet. The UGA police were then called. While the police were in the room, Beal and Cox returned to the dorm, which happens to be unit No. 420. You don’t have to be the biggest pot smoker or even a midnight toker to know that 420 is quite popular in stoner culture.

Georgia HC, Kirby Smart takes responsibilty saying he has done “a poor job with this group of connecting.” Or, Smart has a failure to communicate.

Text alert to the Dawgs football team:
"Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will not be gathering at 4:20 pm on 4/20 in Room 420. More to follow."

 

[Legacy]

Florida now up to five Gators accused of violence against women during Dan Mullen’s tenure

“We do a lot. How many of them were actually charged?” Mullen said, by way of 247Sports.com, when asked about the Huggins situation Tuesday. “Part of it is also, there’s a lot out there with women. Now we do a lot of education with our team on that stuff. Obviously, I’m a big anti-violence-against-women person. I’m also a person that I really want to have all the information as I make decisions on what happens in different situations.

To be fair and clear, one of the five Gators is not a player but Mullen’s assistant director of player personnel, Otis Yelverton, who was arrested and charged April 22 after he left a threatening voicemail to his ex-girlfriend stating he would “blow up” her vehicle. She ended their year-long relationship on April 14. According to court records, Yelverton called, text-messaged and Facebook-messaged the woman 40 times. In addition, text messages used “multiple vulgarities and demeaning language.” She requested the police intervene having asked Yelverton to cease contact, and believed Yelverton could physically attack her. The County Attorney declined to charge Yelverton, stating “The one statement in the various exchanges between the parties that could be construed as a threat is legally insufficient to form the basis for a prosecution.”

“Violence against women of any sort is offensive to me, and never have I, nor would I, commit violence against a woman,” Yelverton’s statement read. “I am very much looking forward to putting this behind me and resuming my career. Unfortunately, I will not be doing so at the University of Florida. The University Athletic Association terminated my employment ... before this matter could be resolved in the judicial system and despite my statements of innocence and repeated requests for patience.”

It would seem that the University Athletic Association erred in thinking that Mullen's assistant for player personnel was an inappropriate role model for Gator players.