The video above includes the live press conference and a raw interview with UO Athletic Director Mike Bellotti followed by a full on-air report. Press the ">>" button in the video player to go to the each video.
By Gia Vang
EUGENE, Ore. -- UO Head Football Coach Chip Kelly spoke to the media Friday afternoon after two current players and one former player were sentenced in court.
He issued a minimum one-game suspension to running back LaMichael James and kicker Rob Beard for their roles in incidents that led to their guilty pleas to harassment charges. The suspension will be served during the Ducks' 2010 season opener vs. New Mexico on Sept. 4. They will return for the remainder of the season if they follow the guidelines set by Kelly.
Kelly has suspended junior quarterback Jeremiah Masoli for the entire 2010 season for his role in a frat house theft that he pleaded guilty to Friday. Masoli would have entered his senior season in the fall. He would be eligible to return in 2011 by utilizing a redshirt year should he meet the requirements handed down by Kelly.
Comments
Whitewash
James was initially charged with four other counts of Strangulation, two counts of Assault in the Fourth Degree, and Harassment.
It seems like a slick lawyer did some bargaining & made a deal for him to plead guilty of a lessor charge, to have the more serious charges dropped.
I would ask the same question to the previous commenter--
Do YOU know anything about what really happened?
These athletes are treated like royalty- scholarships, special elite study structures & opportunities.
James, 20, was in the Lane County Jail in February, on misdemeanor charges of menacing, strangulation and assault. The woman sustained an abrasion but did not require hospitalization.
So what we do know is James lost it in an altercation that resulted in domestic violence. He skirted the edge of felony crimes & get away with it.
In my book, that is much more serious than the stupid crime of theft Masoli engaged in, & was suspended from the team for a year.
After reading more comments on other web sites, I now think all the players engaged in crimes should be kicked off the team, lose their free ride scholarships & perks, & Chip Kelly should be fired too.
He has a hard time knowing how to discipline the team, & be consistent . As seen in the running back LeGarrette Blount incident-- he punched an opposing player after Oregon's loss to Boise State, prompting Kelly to suspend him for the season.
Kelly later reconsidered the suspension and Blount came back for the final two games.
This should have been the time for the administration, in the midst of 9 players involved in legal problems to get tough, and take action- ie dismiss players who engage in criminal behavior to get kicked off the team. The action would speak louder than words & the remaining team players would know for sure crimes & criminal behavior cross the line & will not be tolerated.
The press conference apologizing to the fans & faculty was pathetic.
"We're sorry", but we will allow the players engaged in criminal behavior to continue to play & have scholarships??? Not sorry enough.
I notice a wave of "I love my THUGS" gear has emerged. That pretty much demonstrates how low the team has gone, and how the name is tarnished.
James needs to go to mandatory domestic violence counseling & treatment, and should have had a much more serious consequence.
The U of O athletic department is pandering to the football players, and I still contend James' one game suspension consequence equates to acceptance of domestic violence.
re. Bad Call
Way to get your facts straight friend.
First off, James was guilty of physical harassment NOT assault. Big difference. Do you know anything about what really happened? His ex-girlfriend called his house and found out another girl was there but he was not. She comes over to his house and picks a fight with him because of the girl staying there. Nice. Yes, he should not have allowed himself to get into a pushing match with his ex-girlfriend but, again, NOT assault.
If you want to pass out judgment, next time get your facts straight.
Bad call!
LaMichael James physically assaulted a person & gets suspended for ONE GAME?
The University of Oregon just gave it's stamp of approval for abuse.
The player (Masoli) who stole a computer is suspended for 1 year, but the player (James) who physically abused his girlfriend is suspended for 1 game?
The U of O has dropped the ball on this one. With so many legal issues, I was hoping the coaches and athletic staff would take a strong and clear, leadership role. Any team member who would engage in criminal behavior, or extreme behavior like assault, would be removed from the team.
That way players would know, in no uncertain terms, criminal behavior would not be tolerated.
Team players have to play by the rules (laws) off the field as well.
Kelly & Belotti really did our Community & the University a disservice.
Since when is physical assault a lessor crime, yielding the equivalent of a hand slap?