Six college football players competing at the NAIA level have been suspended from the team and two face criminal charges after an alleged assault on a teammate.
In a news release, Missouri-based Central Methodist University said that a ‘student-athlete was injured’ and sent to an urgent care facility for treatment following an alleged altercation.
‘The safety and well-being of this student is our highest priority,’ the university said in the statement.
‘This behavior is unacceptable and inconsistent with our United Methodist heritage and a campus culture grounded in respect and care for others.’
‘Identified participants in the incident have been suspended from the football program indefinitely,’ the school added.
Among the six players suspended, two athletes, Kamarrion Ferguson and Michael Hourel Jr, were charged with third-degree assault on October 12, according to court documents obtained by KOMU.
Six players have been suspended and two have been criminally charged after an alleged fight
The fight took place as an ‘accountability’ rule after the alleged victim was late to practice
As for what led to the assault, the victim told police that ‘there was a rule in place that when a football player is late for practice, you have to fight someone for repercussions of being late,’ per a report cited by the outlet.
Per court documents, Hourel, who identified himself as a team captain to police, said players had previously not been held accountable for arriving late to practice, which led to them installing the fighting rule.
KOMU says when the victim arrived to practice, he chose a teammate to fight. However, the outlet says Hourel stepped in to make sure the victim ‘learned his lesson’ and allegedly punched him in the face as others jumped in.
According to the school, this was not a rule officially adopted by team coaches or staff. Rather, ‘this was an informal “accountability” arrangement among a small group of players.’
The school is conducting an investigation to ‘establish how [the rule] originated and who knew about it.’
‘We are taking this matter seriously and will limit further comment while the facts are being established,’ the university added.
According to court records obtained by KOMU, following his admission to urgent care, the victim was referred to a concussion specialist due to the potential for a brain bleed.
