2 Canes Players Kicked Off Team For Alleged Sexual Assault

((HT: WPLG-TV))

Two Miami Hurricanes football players are now "former" football players with the school after an incident over the holiday weekend that can only be described as "frightening."

Can't think of any other word to use at the moment...

Jawand Blue and Alexander Figueroa were arrested on charges of sexual battery of a 17-year-old girl and were being held on bonds of $10,000 and $15,000 respectively. Figueroa also had a charge of "possession of a stolen or fictitious driver's license" added.

The police report says that both allegedly gave alcohol to the minor female to the point where she was in a state that she couldn't resist the sex acts the two were performing

Here's the morning report
Athletic Director Blake James released this statement earlier this morning: “Earlier today, I permanently dismissed Jawand Blue and Alexander Figueroa from the UM football team. The University has also suspended the students from school and barred them from all campus facilities while the University conducts an internal investigation and continues to cooperate with local law enforcement. Any allegation of a sexual assault is extremely serious, and the University will not tolerate conduct that threatens the sanctity and safety of our students and our campus. We hold all of our students – especially student athletes – to the highest standards of moral conduct. The University is committed to maintaining a safe campus environment for all." UM President Donna Shalala also issued a statement: "The safety and welfare of our students is fundamental to our mission as a university. We have zero tolerance for sexual assault and gender-based violence," she said. "We will fully and compassionately support the victim of sexual assault. I have spoken to her myself and reassured her of our full support."

Lutzenkirchen Monday Update: Alcohol Suspected

((HT: OANow.com/Byington))

Sadly, this is not a surprise...

In the Byington article, Georgia state troopers are suspecting that alcohol is involved in the auto accident that killed former Auburn tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen and Georgia baseball player Ian Davis.

Blood samples were taken from those two and Troup County (GA) coroner Jeff Davis says that results could take a few weeks to be finalized. The other two passengers are suspected to have alcohol in their system at the time of the crash, but blood has not been drawn.

Our friends at WSFA-TV in Montgomery were at Toomer's Corner to see how the Auburn family was mourning
WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Visitation for Lutzenkirchen, his family, and friends will start at 10:30AM Thursday at the Transfiguration Catholic Church in Marietta, Ga. A funeral Mass will follow at 1PM.

According to the Auburn Football Twitter account, a memorial service will be held on Wednesday at 8PM at Lassiter High School's football stadium in Marietta. Supporters are being asked by the Lutzenkirchen family to wear orange and blue.

You're Hired, You're Fired... After A Few Hours...

((HT: KFBB-TV))

The University of Great Falls (Montana) hired a gentleman by the name of Todd Brittingham as their new Sports Information Director and Marketing Director yesterday. By dinner time, he wasn't the SID/Marketing Director...

UGF said they did a background check, but his criminal conviction in Kansas wasn't a part of their search results.

The local paper, the Great Falls Tribune, revealed in Jesse Geleynse's piece that:

"Brittingham was convicted in 2012 in McPherson, Kan., of endangering a child and furnishing alcohol to a minor, both misdemeanors.

He pleaded guilty to those charges in November 2011, and in exchange, four felony charges of unlawful sexual relations against him were dropped, according to The Associated Press. He was sentenced to one year of probation and a six-month jail sentence that was suspended.

Joe Biega is explaining the kerfuffle...
KFBB.com News, Sports and Weather

Gary Ehnes, the AD at UGF, was understandably stunned thinking that the information he found was all the information he needed and the references Brittingham gave had his back- which they, probably, did...

It's just another case of making sure when you're making sure...

Alcohol May Be A Factor In UC Football Death

((HT: WXIX-TV))

It appears alcohol is being investigated as a possible cause in the death of a University of Cincinnati freshman offensive lineman...

Late Saturday night, a car driven by Miami University (OH) freshman Sean Van Dyne left the road for an unknown reason. When authorities came to the scene, it was discovered that two individuals were ejected from the car. Two more were trapped in the car.

Ben Flick died at the scene. Van Dyne and two other passengers, wide receivers Mark Barr and Javon Harrison were injured in the crash. All three were flown from the crash site via medical helicopter to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

Barr and Van Dyne are in critical condition. Harrison was listed in fair condition and released from the hospital on Monday.

Flick was and Harrison and Barr are student-athletes at University of Cincinnati.

All three were true freshman and didn't dress or travel with the team.

Head coach Tommy Tuberville said in a statement, "As a father and a coach, it's something you hope you never have to go through. Ben was so proud to be a part of this team and University. He worked hard and had shown a great deal of improvement since the summer. His future was bright. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Flick family on their loss. We also hope and pray for Mark and Javon to recover from their injuries."

Here's the early story on the death...
FOX19.com-Cincinnati News, Weather

The Butler County S.T.A.R.T. Unit (Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team) is investigating.

The 911 call is here...

Cowboys Brent Accused Of Violating Bond

((HT: WFAA-TV))

Dallas Cowboy Josh Brent may be forced to stay in jail while he awaits his December trial for intoxication manslaughter.

A bond hearing is set for Friday where prosecutors will ask Brent’s bond to be revoked because the DA's office is saying Brent has repeatedly violated terms of his bond. According to prosecutors, the alcohol monitor Brent is wearing has shown signs of alcohol use on at least four different occasions. The state also claims Brent has failed to show up at bond supervision appointments.

Prosecutors will now argue because of the violations that Brent poses a threat to the community.

Brent is under indictment for the December 8, 2012 accident that killed Brent’s teammate, Jerry Brown.
Prosecutors say he was drunk at the time.

Here's the latest from the newsroom...

REPORT: Rangers Hamilton Has Relapse ((UPDATED With Analysis and Reax))

((HT: Arete Awards/youtube))

According to the Dallas Morning News, it appears that Texas Rangers OF Josh Hamilton may have suffered a relapse into his old drinking habits...

It happened at a north Dallas bar Monday night, but circumstances as to why Hamilton may have had a relapse are unclear at present. The Rangers issued a statement saying that they are "aware of a situation, but we don't have further comment at this time."

Here's a piece that aired during the Arete Awards detailing Hamilton's struggles...


More when we know more...

FRIDAY UPDATE:
Here's George Riba addressing the fallout and what could happen next...
((HT: WFAA-TV))


And here's Josh Hamilton's press conference from the afternoon...
((HT: MyFoxDFW))

Josh Hamilton Apologizes for Alcoholic Relapse: MyFoxDFW.com