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A half-dozen college football players in Missouri have been suspended for allegedly assaulting a teammate — with two of them getting arrested.
Six players at Central Methodist University, an NAIA school in Fayette, were banned indefinitely for allegedly assaulting a teammate for being late to a team practice.
Kamarrion Ferguson, 20, and Michael Hourel Jr., 22, were charged with third-degree assault, according to court documents obtained by KOMU-TV in nearby Columbia.
The station also cited a probable cause statement it obtained stating that the alleged victim told Fayette police officers he was beaten due to “a rule in place that when a football player is late for practice, you have to fight someone for repercussions of being late.”
The court filing also revealed that the victim was taken to an urgent-care facility and referred to a concussion specialist “due to the possibility of a brain bleed.”
The other four suspended players were not named by police or the school, but Central Methodist University released a statement saying it is investigating the so-called “fight rule.”
“The safety and well-being of this student is our highest priority,” the statement read. “This behavior is unacceptable and inconsistent with our United Methodist heritage and a campus culture grounded in respect and care for others.”
“Based on what we currently know, this was an informal ‘accountability’ arrangement among a small group of players, rather than an official team rule. The investigation will establish how it originated and who knew about it.”
Hourel is a senior linebacker and one of the team’s designated captains. He told police that the “fight rule” was initiated during a team meeting “to address the lack of accountability for being late to practice,” according to the probable cause statement obtained by KOMU.
He also reportedly told officers that the victim had been late to practice on Oct. 9.
Hourel allegedly hit the victim in the face, and the other players joined the attack after the victim attempted to fight back.